Battlefield Preservation
Diane Woodman
“But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we
cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who
struggled here, have consecrated it far above
our power to add or detract. . . “
La Joya Community High School
Preservation & Geography
Introduction
History is the continuing process of change and there are certain places
on Earth where this is more evident than others. Battlefields are among
those special places. The outcomes of battles have significant impact in the
modern psyche. It is important in the world today, and indeed in the future,
to study battlefields because the events that occurred upon them served as
catalysts for significant and necessary changes in culture and society.
Preserving their legacy is vital to the education of those who seek to
understand what those changes mean and how they have shaped the world
today.
Rothenburg, Germany
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/ima
ges/pic/DANPOD/EU10_BJA0001~Buildi
ngs-and-Statue-of-St-George-and-theDragon-Rothenburg-GermanyPosters.jpg
Places and Regions
So, what is a battlefield? Definitions vary. Some scientists consider
battlefields to be actual undeveloped fields. Other experts have much
broader interpretations. I am in favor of the broader interpretation. When
discussing war, we often refer to the “field of battle.” Using this terminology,
we consider any place where battle has occurred be it urban, rural, or
desolate.
The visual picture a battlefield presents today is critical to understanding
not only that battle, but the war during which it took place. The values that
soldiers tested in battle are the same values that bind us together today –
courage, patriotism, strength, pride, perseverance, and more. Key issues for
preservationists include defining authenticity and integrity, and the
relationship between the character and condition of the terrain and
reconciling all of this with the emotional response of the visitor.
Physical Systems
Natural earth features at battle sites play a significant role in how the
battle is fought and how the land is preserved. Ecosystems are altered by
battles and sometimes do not recover. Changes in battlefield terrain may
change how various parts of ecosystems work together. One example may
be how earthworks affect the rain runoff patterns on hilly terrain.
Vegetation, the most recognizable part of any ecosystem, is often
severely damaged by battle and changes most over time. It presents unique
challenges to preservationists. They must determine which plants are
indigenous species. For those that are not indigenous, when were they
introduced to the landscape? If a decision is made to return the site to
natural wartime conditions, keeping non-indigenous vegetation that was
present during the battle may be necessary. It may also mean that natural
growth since the time of battle may be thinned or removed. This is not
always good for modern ecosystems. Such was the case at Gettysburg
where a large deer population had to be relocated.
http://www.nps.gov/paal/nat
urescience/index.htm
Palo Alto National
Battlefield, TX
http://img.groundspeak.com/way
marking/display/be80f47c-96674241-8cb4-bc2ef44cc840.jpg
Preservation & Geography
- Abraham Lincoln
Preservation & Geography
Human Systems
Uses of Geography in the Classroom
Preservation efforts must recognize two important aspects of human
systems. The first is the roles of humans at the time of battle. It is
necessary to recognize all the participants – not only the fighters, but
women and others who supported and took care of them. Using the
historic record and archaeological evidence, analysts determine how the
battle was fought. They also investigate how all of the participants
interacted with each other.
The other aspect of human systems that must be examined is
population growth and interaction patterns surrounding the battle site.
What growth has occurred since the time of battle and how did the battle
influence this growth? In preservation efforts planners must consider
how alternatives, new or ongoing, will affect the surrounding region.
How will they influence local economics, industry, taxes, and more. All of
these are important considerations.
My goal for presenting battlefield preservation in my history classroom
focuses around two national geography standards. I want to teach my
students how to apply geography to interpret the past because geography
and history are so tightly intertwined. What is learned from this study can
be applied to interpret the present and plan for the future. This is what
battlefield preservation is all about. I am passionate about protecting
heritage and making sites that have determined it available to people today,
both in and out of the classroom. How else can we understand ourselves?
Spatial Analysis
Technology plays an integral role in battlefield preservation. There
are many old-fashioned and modern technologies that are integrated
together to provide all interested parties – managers, planners, scientists,
zoologists, botanists, preservationists, local community members, etc. –
with the information they need to make preservation decisions. They
must also carefully consider how they will communicate those decisions
to other interested parties and the general public. Graphic visualization is
the simplest and most effective means for communicating results. This is
achieved by combining the technologies of photography, IKONOS
imaging, GIS, remote sensing, and more.
Spatial analysis has important goals. The first is to track changes
over time so that the best preservation and management decisions can
be made about the battlefield. Another is to validate the historic record,
including maps, such as misidentification of the actual site of the battle.
A third goal is to analyze current zoning and land use, as well as plan for
future preservation or development.
I intend to use several strategies to bring battlefield preservation into my
classroom. Besides Picacho Peak, there are not many battlefields in Arizona
to which fieldtrips can be made. Alternatives abound, however. I can still
teach my students how to critically study the historic record. They can read
accounts and narratives of battles, analyze photos, study maps and more to
understand the history of battlefields. I strive consistently to bring books
and articles about topics we are discussing in class, including battlefield
preservation, to my students. They can learn to use these same tools in
geographic evaluation over time. I would like to expose my students to GIS,
GPS and other useful preservation tools, but budget constraints prevent that
at this time.
http://img1.ifilmpro.com/resize/image/stills/films/resize/istd/2926655.jpg
Normandy
Cemetery
http://civilwarmemory.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345
1bedb69e200e5547d38738834-320wi
http://imgsrv.kmbz.com
/image/kmbz/UserFiles/I
mage/ejs%20pix/norma
ndy.jpg
Gettysburg National Park
Environment and Society
Battlefield landscapes embody memory, religion, culture, & tourism.
They reveal how societies come to terms with violence and tragedy.
Memorials help to focus these concepts, but may become detached over
time. If a memorial is not well-maintained or a population shift occurs in
the region, it may be forgotten.
Reenactments add to the battlefield experience when portrayed
respectfully. They should be guided by the sites that inspire them and
should never take place on the exact sites of battle because they could
damage them. Modern debris may also dilute the authenticity of sites.
Cemeteries, museums, and visitors’ centers further commemorate the
events of battle. Increased tourism rejuvenates economies and brings to
local citizens a renewed interest in the formative time periods of the
region.
Conservation is another key component of battlefield preservation.
Advocacy is needed to protect battlefields from modern desires. Strong
coalitions consisting of preservationists, scientists, local community
members, politicians, and more can work together to maintain authentic
experiences at battle sites.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.ph
p?id=37000
I am very keen on a couple of technological strategies that can bring
battlefield preservation into my classroom. The first is virtual battlefield
tours. A number of them are available online, mostly of Civil War sites.
They offer an eclectic mix of information about individual sites. Another
strategy is Web quests. They are a lot of fun for students because the kids
are doing the investigative research to answer questions. I am currently
working to create one based on specific battlefields that combines not only
research into the historic record, but also a geographic study, and
examination of preservation efforts and future planning for the sites.
Comparisons of cultural differences between sites in different regions or
countries can then be made.
I want my students to become familiar with all aspects of preservation
efforts. My purpose is to encourage an interest in and recognition of an
ownership stake in public history. History and the land on which it evolves
does not belong only to those who write about it, but to everyone.
Conclusion
Battlefields must be preserved so that future generations can continue
to learn from them. The changes that battles evoke play an important role
in shaping society and who we are as a people. That is why education is a
necessary aspect of preservation and commemoration efforts.
Preservationists, historians, teachers, and others must work together to
keep the lessons that can be learned from battlefields relevant. This can
only come about through deeply involved investigation of battle sites,
careful consideration of all points of view, and ongoing, open-minded
management strategies.
WWI Western Front
Calvary
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/3560209?seq=4&Search=yes&term=cross%2C&term=crucifix%2C&term=calvary&list=
hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcrucifix%252C%2Bcross%252C%2Band%2Bcalvary%26wc%3Don&item=
1&ttl=208&returnArticleService=showArticle&resultsServiceName=doBasicResultsFromArticle
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