Message from the President
Dear Friends of Battlefield Preservation,
Our 2023 Annual Report highlights the work of countless TCWPA members and volunteers working to
preserve and interpret Tennessee’s Civil War sites. Whether working in your community to save a battlefield, leading a tour, conducting research, promoting the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate, developing the new statewide assessment of battlefields or lastly, providing your financial support with your many generous gifts – you are all part of the community of preservationists. I join the Board of Directors in recognizing you – our members and friends who inspire our leadership team’s commitment to the cause of preservation. We appreciate your support!
We are pleased to report the Statewide Preservation Plan and Executive Summary were released in 2023 and are available on www.tcwpa.org. The Plan provides a dynamic process that compiles battlefield site data, identifies opportunities and priorities, manages information, and facilitates preservation strategies. This process has been driven by considerable research and planning of the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) and years of organizational engagement by the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association. The plan is developed to be updated periodically with new and revised information. You can provide feedback on the Plan at www.info@tcwpa.org.
In addition, our volunteers made progress on several projects including our e-history program, administering seven grants for battlefield preservation from sales of the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate, membership, and license plate promotion. On the administrative side of TCWPA, the Executive Committee and Board conducted business throughout the year meeting virtually via Zoom and in-person. In 2023 we were pleased to continue our Three Star tours and enjoy the camaraderie of those interested in the Volunteer State’s history. And lastly, let me thank you personally for your support of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association. We could not accomplish our many goals without YOU and the support you provide. We appreciate your commitment and support!
We always welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us in writing or by email at info@tcwpa.org.
C. Anthony Hodges, D.D.S. President
TCWPA Board of Directors 2023-2024
President: Dr. Anthony Hodges
Vice-Presidents: Sam Huffman (Finance), Joe Smyth (Secretary), Steve McDaniel
Board Members: Dr. Aaron Astor, Ernie Bacon, Myers Brown, Mike Countess, Sam Elliott, Dr. Curt Fields, Lee Millar, Daniel Taylor, Greg Wade, Phil Walker, Dr. Lea Williams
Director for Administration: Patricia Gray
Assistant Director for Partnerships: Lee Curtis
Advisory Board: Will Greene, Norm Hill, Patrick McIntyre, Nina Scall, Emily Parish, Jennifer Core, Dr. Joe
Trahan, Dr. Carroll Van West, Susan Whitaker, Jerry Wooten, Antoinette van Zelm; TN State Representative Sam Whitson; Tennessee’s National Battlefield Superintendents: Brad Bennett, Allen Etheridge, Brian McCutchen, Brenda Pennington. Site Specialists: Fred Prouty, Jim Ogden, Jim Lewis, Jim Weaver.
Leadership Team Transitions
TCWPA President Anthony Hodges recognized Patricia Gray’s new role as Director of Administrative Services for TCWPA. Gray had previously served as Assistant Director of Administration.
In 2023 there were no changes in the Board members of TCWPA, however the organization has an ongoing recruitment program for new board members in accordance with its Board Member Recruitment Policy. The goal is to build a dynamic and effective management team that is reflective of all Tennesseans, with a broad range of knowledge and skills needed to ensure support of quality programs, and with all having a commitment to engaged and consensus-driven decision making.
Your Gift for Preservation Really Counts!
With more than 1630 “Save Our Battlefields” license plate on the road, your gift is more important than ever. In fact, the revenue raised through license plate sales accounts for 30% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget. Even more important is your preservation gifts and membership renewals provide 25% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget. This means your gifts, donations, license plate sales, membership renewals allow TCWPA to continue to hold educational, preservation and Three Star tours, annual meetings, award over $104,000 in preservation/interpretation battlefield grants since 2005, and help TCWPA sustain its work to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields.
You are a critical part of this process, and we could not accomplish our many goals without YOU and the support you provide. With your generous gifts – we will continue to connect people and places through preservation so our children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren can enjoy Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields.
The Mission: To Protect, Interpret and Make Accessible Tennessee Civil War Battlefields
The TCWPA leadership team continued its mission to protect and preserve Tennessee Civil War Battlefields with emphasis on its educational and preservation grants program. Since 2005, your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate have supported more than 60 battlefield preservation grants! Your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate supported eight battlefield preservation grants in 2023 including preservation and interpretation grants given in partnership with American Battlefield Trust for the Williams House – Franklin, Lookout Mountain, Shiloh National Military Park, and Stones River National Battlefield. In addition, preservation and interpretation grants were given to Franklin’s Charge for Franklin Battlefield, Battle of Franklin Trust, Belmont Mansion, Fort Negley and Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center.
2023 TCWPA Activities Annual Membership and Board of Director Meetings
The 2023 Annual Members meeting was held at Belmont Mansion in Nashville on April 1, 2023 where current members approved the ballot for election of the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. All approved Directors returned for another year. Members also approved TCWPA’s Annual Report.
Working in partnership with TCWPA Board member Curt Fields and National Park Partners we offered a first-person program on the life of U.S. Grant with an emphasis on his experiences in Chattanooga in 1863. The “Meet the General” educational tour was a great success. The tour was attended by more than 80 adults and over 100 students from Lookout Valley Elementary with nearly $5,000 raised for the restoration of the Browns Tavern.
Members from across the state participated in an amazing tour of Belmont Mansion led by Board member Myers Brown, Executive Director of Belmont Mansion. The 6th Annual Preservation tour was well attended and included a behind the scenes tour of the Belmont Towers which was used as a signal tower during the Civil War.
TCWPA’s Fall Three Star Preservation tour was held in partnership with Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center in October 2023. The tour was led by tour leader National Park Service Historian Jim Ogden – attended by more than 50 people.
2023 Battlefield Preservation Grants
Your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate supported eight battlefield preservation grants. Preservation and interpretation grants were given to American Battlefield Trust for:
Williams House – Franklin
Lookout Mountain
Shiloh National Military Park
Stones River National Battlefield
Franklin’s Charge for Franklin
Battlefield
Battle of Franklin Trust
Belmont Mansion
Fort Negley
Reflection Riding Arboretum &
Nature Center
Annual Gifts and Memberships
TCWPA received $17,995.75 in annual gifts and membership dues during the past year.
TCWPA’s “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate income from January 1, 2023- December 31, 2023, was $28,994.00.
“Tennesseans continue to set records” reports President Hodges. “This year we have nearly 1630 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. It’s wonderful to see the increased interest and strong support for promoting preservation!” TCWPA continues to distribute its bookmark to our state welcome centers where it is on display with the Sesquicentennial Civil War Exhibits, at libraries throughout Middle Tennessee, the Tennessee State Museum, National Medal of Honor Museum and at Civil War shows. The bookmark continues to attract new interest and membership in the organization and the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate. If you would like a bookmark – or some extra to distribute – please send an email to us at info@tcwpa.org.
You can purchase the specialty plate at your County Clerk’s office for $35.00 per year (plus your regular registration fees). Call ahead to make sure the plate is available and if not, they will have one within a few days. TCWPA receives about $15.00 per new purchase and a few dollars more per plate for renewals. For more information visit, www.tcwpa.org/support/license-plate.
TCWPA 2023 Goals
In support of the mission to protect, interpret, and make accessible Tennessee’s Civil War Battlefields and contributing landscapes, the TCWPA Board of Directors is pleased to report TCWPA’s Statewide Preservation Plan and Executive Summary are available for review and download online at www.tcwpa.org/preservation-plan.
The Statewide Preservation Plan was compiled by Board member Mike Countess and edited by Board member Phil Walker. We are grateful for the work of our all-volunteer planning team Mike Countess, Phil Walker, Aaron Astor, Jim Ogden, Jim Lewis, Steve McDaniel, Daniel Taylor, Stacy Allen, Anthony Hodges, and Patricia Gray. A special thank you to TCWPA’s former Executive Director Mary Ann Peckham who would have been so pleased to know the Preservation Plan is now available. TCWPA would also like to extend our gratitude to our partner Tennessee Historical Commission for providing grant funding for this important preservation project.
Board member Mike Countess said, “The Preservation Plan provides a dynamic process that compiles battlefield site data, identifies opportunities and priorities, manages information, and facilitates preservation strategies.” This process has been driven by considerable research and planning of the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) and years of organizational engagement by the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association.
TCWPA will continue to collect information on the 122 battlefield sites – several of which are well documented, but most are lesser-known and privately owned. The plan is developed to be updated periodically with new and revised information. Moving forward in 2024, the Statewide Preservation Plan will continue to be the highest priority project for TCWPA.
To continue to learn more about these battlefields, we hope you have information that you can share. With your help we can all gain a better understanding of the battlefield’s condition today and how the historic battle contributed to Tennessee’s experience in the Civil War. Your feedback on the Statewide Preservation Plan will help us update our assessments and preservation strategies for TCWPA’s Statewide Preservation Plan. Email your comments or request a copy of the printed Summary report to be mailed to you at info@tcwpa.org.
TCWPA Launches Redesigned Website Featuring NEW Interactive Map!
President Anthony Hodges said, “The redesigned website offers a responsive, user-friendly experience that will enable viewers to research and explore over 122+ Civil War battlefield sites.”
The redesign and launch of TCWPA’s website featuring a new interactive map is a key component of TCWPA’s Statewide Preservation Plan. The interactive map uses the latest technology to further the cause of battlefield preservation and interpretation and includes 122+ Civil War battlefields and lesser- known sites in Tennessee and will memorialize certain Civil War battlefields in Tennessee originally identified by the Civil War Sites Advisory Committee. The interactive map can be viewed at www.tcwpa.org/interactive-map.
The redesigned website will improve the experience on mobile devices offering a rewarding learning opportunity on or off the battlefield. The interactive map features all 122+ battlefield sites (noted in red) and 38 principal sites (noted in blue). The interactive map will be updated periodically with new and revised information for the battlefield assessments. We hope the Statewide Preservation Plan and the interactive map will be invaluable tools for preservationists, teachers, students, and visitors to preserve, interpret and explore Civil War battlefields and lesser-known historic sites in Tennessee. The Statewide Preservation Plan and interactive map projects were funded by a grant from the Wars Commission Grant Fund, administered by the Tennessee Wars Commission, the Tennessee Historical Commission, Department of Environment and Conservation.
TCWPA Financial Report for 2023
TCWPA – Dec 31, 2023 Cash Accounts $ 64,091.54
Reserved Accounts – Preservation Plan Publication $11,000.00
Available for 2023 TCWPA operations – $ 75,091.54
2023 Income and Expenses
Income:
Membership Dues 1,460
Annual Giving Campaign 6,455
Special Donations (Peckham Funds) 2,600
Board Gifts 4,924
Pay Pal Donations 2,557
PayPal fee Adjustment -104
Merchandise Sales 87
License Plate Proceeds 28,994
Grants to TCWPA 1,819
Total General Revenue 48,792
Expenses:
ED Services – Director of Admin. 28,800
Travel 904
General Administrative Expenses 868
Website Design/Expenses 4,248
Printing Expense 2,080
Accounting Services 1,435
Postage 732
Board Directed Grants 4,200
Insurance 877
Total Expense 44,144
2023 Income in Excess of Expense $4,648
The 2023 Annual Report will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at the March 2024 Board meeting and approved at the Annual Members Meeting to be held in Franklin on March 9, 2024.
