Preservation Conference Nov. 18-21

The American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) invites readers of The Civil War News to attend the Fifth National Conference on Battlefield Preservation at the Omni Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD., Nov. 18-21.

This is the only conference that brings together all professions involved in the many facets of battlefield protection to discuss, exchange, and present ideas that lead to the long-term preservation and Protection of historic battlefields. It will include workshops, lectures, tours and more.

Originally scheduled for December, the ABPP rescheduled the conference to avoid a conflict with the National Park Service's Cultural Resources 2000 conference.

The National Conference on Battlefield Preservation will be different from ABPP conferences of the past. For the first time, the ABPP has opened the conference to any to any topic relating to the protection of battlefields or their associated sites. Also, the ABPP sought proposals for workshops and papers through a Call for Papers asking for proposals providing technical information and/or innovative ideas in battlefield protection. Approximately 50 proposals were received, covering a vast array of topics, wars, and points of view.

The keynote speaker is Edward Linenthal, Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His books include "History Wars: The Enola Gay and Other Battles for the American Past," "Sacred Ground: Americans and Their Battlefields," and "Preserving Memory: The Struggle to Create America's Holocaust Museum."

For more information, including a complete list of conference topics, events, and registration forms, please contact Ginger Carter at (202) 343-1210 or ginger_carter@nps.gov.