Message from the President
April 9, 2025
Dear Friends of Battlefield Preservation,
Our 2025 Annual Report highlights the dedicated efforts of TCWPA members and volunteers who continue to preserve and interpret Tennessee’s Civil War sites. Whether you are protecting local battlefields, leading educational tours, conducting research, promoting the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate, contributing to the statewide assessment of historic sites, or providing financial support, your commitment makes a lasting impact. Together, we form a strong and passionate community of preservationists. On behalf of the TCWPA Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support and for inspiring our leadership team’s dedication to this important mission.
We are pleased to report that TCWPA continues to make meaningful progress in preservation and interpretation initiatives outlined in the Statewide Preservation Plan. This plan serves as a dynamic framework for compiling site data, identifying priorities, managing information, and guiding TCWPA’s strategic efforts. It reflects extensive research, collaboration with the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC), and years of organizational engagement. This year, the Interpretation Committee partnered with the Executive Director of the Civil War Trails program to identify key locations included in the plan for new interpretive signage. The plan is regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant and effective, and the Executive Summary is available for download on www.tcwpa.org.
In addition, our volunteers advanced several important projects, including the expansion of our e history program and the administration of eleven preservation grants funded through license plate sales, memberships, and promotional efforts. On the administrative side, TCWPA’s Executive Committee and Board conducted business through a combination of virtual and in-person meetings. In 2025, we were pleased to continue our Three Star tours and shared appreciation among those interested in Tennessee’s Civil War history.
Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. Your contributions make our work possible, and we could not achieve our goals without you. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to preserved Tennessee’s Civil War history.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us by mail or email at info@tcwpa.org.
C. Anthony Hodges, D.D.S. President
TCWPA Board of Directors 2025-2026
President Dr. Anthony Hodges
Vice-Presidents: Lee Curtis (Finance), Joe Smyth (Secretary), Steve McDaniel
Board Members: Dr. Aaron Astor, Myers Brown, Gary Burke, Mike Countess, Sam Elliott, Dr. Curt Fields, Sam Huffman, Lee Millar, Greg Wade, Phil Walker
Director for Administration: Patricia Gray
Assistant Director for Partnerships: Lee Curtis
Advisory Board: Hobart Akin, Will Greene, Norm Hill, Nina Scall, Emily Parish, Jennifer Core, Miranda Montgomery, Daniel Taylor, Dr. Joe Trahan, Dr. Carroll Van West, Susan Whitaker, Dr. Lea Williams, Antoinette van Zelm; Tennessee State Representative Sam Whitson; Tennessee’s National Battlefield Superintendents: Brad Bennett, Benjamin Hayes, Brian McCutchen, and Randy Martin. Site Specialists: Fred Prouty, Jim Ogden, Jim Lewis, Jim Weaver.
Leadership Team Transitions
TCWPA President Anthony Hodges recognized the appointment of two new Board members, Gary Burke and Lee Curtis, whose expertise strengthens the organization’s leadership capacity and mission focus.
Gary Burke
Gary brings deep knowledge of the African American experience during the Civil War, supported by his extensive research and active membership in the 13th United States Colored Troops Living History Association. His work at Fort Negley in Nashville has helped elevate the site’s national prominence as one of the country’s most significant Civil War historic locations. Gary’s perspective and research will be an important asset to the Board as TCWPA continues its work in battlefield preservation and interpretation.
Lee Curtis
The Board appointed Lee Curtis to serve as Treasurer. Lee has a long-standing commitment to heritage tourism and Civil War history, demonstrated through her leadership roles with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Tennessee State Museum. Her experience in statewide cultural programming and tourism development will enhance TCWPA’s financial stewardship and strategic planning.
Commitment to Inclusive and Effective Governance
TCWPA continues to implement its Board Member Recruitment Policy, which guides an ongoing effort to build a dynamic, effective, and representative leadership team. The organization seeks Board members who reflect the diversity of Tennesseans, bring a broad range of skills and knowledge, and share a commitment to engaged, consensus‑driven decision making. This approach ensures strong governance and sustained support for TCWPA’s mission to preserve Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields.
Your Gift for Preservation Really Counts!
More than 1,600 “Save Our Battlefields” license plates are now on the road, and the support they represent is vital to TCWPA’s mission. Revenue from license plate sales provides 30% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget, making it one of the most important sources of ongoing funding for preservation and education.
Equally essential are the preservation gifts and membership renewals contributed by supporters across the state. These generous commitments provide an additional 25% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget, ensuring that the organization can continue to deliver high‑quality programs and advance battlefield protection efforts.
Together, these contributions make it possible for TCWPA to:
- Host educational programs, preservation events, and Three Star Tours • Hold annual meetings that engage members and partners
- Award more than $141,000 in preservation and interpretation grants since 2005 • Sustain long-term efforts to preserve and interpret Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields.
You are a critical part of this work. TCWPA’s accomplishments are possible only because of the dedication and generosity of supporters like you. Your gifts help connect people and places through preservation, ensuring that Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields remain meaningful and accessible for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.
The Mission: To Protect, Interpret and Make Accessible Tennessee Civil War Battlefields
The TCWPA leadership team advanced its mission to protect and preserve Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields with a strong focus on educational programming and its long-standing preservation grants initiative. Since 2005, supporters’ annual gifts— combined with proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate—have made possible more than seventy-nine battlefield preservation grants across the state. In 2025 alone, this support funded eleven preservation and interpretation grants, including projects completed in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust at Shy’s Hill, Shiloh National Military Park, Missionary Ridge, and Brown’s Ferry.
Additional grants in 2025 supported preservation and interpretation efforts led by the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable, Johnsonville State Historic Park, Franklin’s Charge, Customs House and Cultural Museum, Parker’s Crossroads Battlefield, Brown’s Tavern, and the DePriest House. These investments continue to strengthen public understanding of Tennessee’s Civil War history while protecting the landscapes where that history unfolded.
Honoring Leadership in Preservation
In 2025, TCWPA proudly presented the Fred Prouty Preservation Award to Board member Sam Huffman in recognition of his enduring dedication to battlefield preservation across Tennessee. As a charter member and longtime Treasurer, Sam has played a central role in advancing TCWPA’s mission. His steady leadership and expertise have helped elevate Franklin’s preservation achievements to national prominence, enriching the experience of residents and visitors alike.
“Sam has inspired not only the Franklin community, but preservationists across the state with his knowledge and commitment,” – noted TCWPA President Anthony Hodges.
Named in honor of Fred Prouty, former program director of the Tennessee Wars Commission who helped preserve more than 7,000 acres of historic sites, the award recognizes individuals whose work has made a regional or statewide impact on battlefield preservation. In a meaningful gesture, Sam designated Franklin’s Charge as the recipient of the award’s $500 grant, honoring the memory of former TCWPA Executive Director Mary Ann Peckham.
2025 TCWPA Activities
Annual Membership and Board of Director Meetings
The 2025 Annual Members Meeting was a resounding success and reflected the strong engagement of TCWPA’s statewide membership. Members approved the ballot for the 2025–2026 Board of Directors, with all Directors returning for another year of dedicated service. The membership also approved TCWPA’s Annual Report, affirming the organization’s continued progress in preservation, education, and advocacy.
Members from across Tennessee took part in an outstanding preservation tour, “Civil War in Clarksville – Invasion by River and Rail,” led by esteemed historian Greg Biggs. The tour explored Clarksville’s strategic role during the war, highlighting its river and rail networks, fortifications, and key military actions.
Together, the Annual Members Meeting and the preservation tour made for a memorable and highly successful gathering—one that strengthened community, deepened historical understanding, and celebrated TCWPA’s ongoing mission to tell the story of the Civil War in Tennessee.
The 2025 fiscal year marked a major preservation milestone for Tennessee.
The Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund received a $3 million appropriation in Governor Lee’s 2025–2026 budget, strengthening one of the state’s most important tools for battlefield protection. Established in 2013, this fund provides essential matching dollars that help secure and preserve endangered Civil War battlefields across Tennessee, ensuring that irreplaceable historic landscapes are protected for future generations.
This achievement reflects the power of sustained grassroots advocacy. Your continued support—through gifts, memberships, and the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate—helps demonstrate to state leaders that battlefield preservation matters to Tennesseans. Together, we are ensuring that history lasts.
2025 Battlefield Preservation Grants
Your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate supported eleven battlefield preservation grants. Preservation and interpretation grants were given to:
American Battlefield Trust for:
Shy’s Hill
Missionary Ridge
Shiloh National Military Park Brown’s Ferry
Knoxville Civil War Roundtable
Johnsonville State Historic Park Franklin’s Charge
Customs House and Cultural Museum Parker’s
Crossroads Battlefield Brown’s Tavern
DePriest House
Annual Gifts and Memberships
TCWPA received $ 25,459 in annual gifts and membership dues during the past year.
License Plate – Funding for Preservation
TCWPA’s “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate program continued to demonstrate strong and growing support in 2025. From January 1 through December 31, 2025, license plate income totaled $27,826, providing a vital source of funding for battlefield preservation and education.
President Anthony Hodges noted the continued momentum: “Tennesseans continue to set records. This year we have more than 1,600 license plates on the road—with new and renewal sales of the ‘Save Our Battlefields’ license plate continuing to grow. The plate has been on the road since September 2013, and it is wonderful to see the increased interest and dedicated support for promoting preservation.”
Expanding Awareness Across Tennessee
TCWPA continues to distribute its promotional bookmark statewide, helping raise awareness of both the organization and the specialty plate. The bookmark is displayed at:
• Tennessee Welcome Centers alongside the Sesquicentennial Civil War Exhibits • Libraries throughout Middle Tennessee
• The Tennessee State Museum
• The National Medal of Honor Museum
• Civil War shows and related events
These outreach efforts continue to attract new members and increase interest in the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate. Anyone wishing to receive bookmarks—or additional copies to share—may email info@tcwpa.org.
How to Purchase the Plate
The “Save Our Battlefields” specialty plate is available at all County Clerk offices for $35.00 per year, plus standard registration fees. Calling ahead is recommended to ensure availability; if a plate is not in stock, the Clerk’s office can obtain one within a few days. TCWPA receives approximately $15.00 from each new plate purchase and a slightly higher amount from renewals, making every plate an important contribution to preservation efforts. For more information visit www.tcwpa.org/support/license-plate
TCWPA 2025 Goals
In support of TCWPA’s mission to protect, interpret, and make accessible Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields and contributing landscapes, the Board of Directors is pleased to report that the Statewide Preservation Plan continues to move forward with strong momentum. Following completion of the Plan, the Board identified key next steps to guide preservation efforts across the state.
Recognizing TCWPA’s role in facilitating and organizing preservation initiatives, the Board established an Interpretation Committee to identify priorities and explore new opportunities to expand public understanding of Tennessee’s Civil War history. The committee’s recommendations were presented and approved by the Board, marking an important milestone in the Plan’s implementation.
Next Steps in the Preservation Plan
• Expand interpretive devices and signage in partnership with Civil War Trails at Jefferson Pike, Thompson’s Station, and the Calfkiller River. Additional collaborations include work with the Tennessee Valley Authority at Mossy Creek; The Homestead at Thompson’s Station; the Battle of Nashville Trust at Shy’s Hill; the U.S. Forest Service at Fort Henry; and the City of Knoxville/Knoxville Civil War Roundtable at Armstrong Hill.
• Evaluate the use of QR codes to enhance interpretation, accessibility, and visitor engagement at battlefield sites.
• Provide research assistance to website visitors seeking information about Civil War soldiers and associated battlefields, strengthening public access to historical resources.
The full Preservation Plan is available for review and download at www.tcwpa.org/preservation-plan.
TCWPA extends its sincere appreciation to the Tennessee Historical Commission for providing grant funding that made this important preservation initiative possible.
TCWPA Interactive Map Most Visited Page on Website!
Board member Mike Countess emphasized the importance of the Plan, noting, “The Preservation Plan provides a dynamic process that compiles battlefield site data, identifies opportunities and priorities, manages information, and facilitates preservation strategies.”
A major component of the Plan’s success has been the development and use of TCWPA’s online Interactive Interpretive Map. This map continues to rank #1 as the most visited page on the TCWPA website, with visitors spending significantly more time exploring its content than the average engagement time per user. The map has become an essential platform for sharing battlefield information, promoting public interest, and identifying opportunities for interpretation and preservation. The interactive map is available at www.tcwpa.org/interactive-map.
Looking Ahead: Preservation Plan Priorities for 2026
As TCWPA moves into 2026, the Statewide Preservation Plan remains the organization’s highest priority project. In alignment with TCWPA’s mission to facilitate and organize preservation initiatives, an Interpretation Committee has been established to identify priorities and explore new opportunities for battlefield interpretation and education.
The Committee has prepared initial recommendations for the Board and will continue reviewing high‑priority interpretation opportunities identified in the Preservation Plan. Their work will guide future interpretive signage, educational initiatives, and collaborative preservation strategies across Tennessee.
We Need Your Help
TCWPA invites members, historians, and community partners to share information about the battlefields included in the Preservation Plan. Your insights help deepen our understanding of current battlefield conditions and the historical significance of each site.
If you have information to contribute, please contact info@tcwpa.org. Your feedback also helps TCWPA refine its assessments and preservation strategies. You may email comments or request a printed copy of the Executive Summary of the Preservation Plan at info@tcwpa.org.
TCWPA Financial Report for 2024
TCWPA – Dec 31, 2025 Cash Accounts $ 67,541.58
Reserved Accounts
Phase II Interpretation Preservation Plan $11,000.00
Available for 2026 TCWPA operations $ 78,541.58
2025 Income and Expenses
Income:
Membership Dues 1,170
Annual Giving Campaign 16,561
Special Donations (Peckham Fund) 2,000
Board Gifts 3,485
Pay Pal Donations 2,241
PayPal fee Adjustment -102
License Plate Proceeds 27,825
Total General Revenue 53,282
Expenses:
ED Services – Director of Admin. 28,800
Travel 482
General Administrative Expenses 479
Website Design/Maintenance 3,721
Printing Expense 1,082
Meeting Expense 327
Accounting Services 1,736
Postage 1,427
Board Directed Grants 5,250
Peckham/Ragland Award 620
Insurance 1,049
Total Expense 44,973
2025 Operating Income $8,311
The 2025 Annual Report was reviewed by the Board of Directors at the April 2026 Board meeting and approved at the Annual Members Meeting held in Manchester on April 25, 2026.
