Bill to Establish Georgia Battlefield Protection Fund Passes State House Of Representatives

(Atlanta, Ga.) — The Georgia House of Representatives passed the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act by a resounding majority yesterday, advancing the bill to the State Senate. The legislation establishes a state matching grant program to support historic battlefield preservation efforts. Named for the legendary University of Georgia football coach and sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines, the bill honors a cause dear to that late coach’s heart and bolsters the public-private partnership model most efficient in safeguarding these historic landscapes. 

“While Coach Dooley is rightfully remembered for his athletic accomplishments, he was a renaissance man with many accomplishments beyond the gridiron,” said American Battlefield Trust president David Duncan. “He was a passionate historian, author and an active member of our Board of Trustees who spent countless hours touring Georgia’s hallowed battlefields and championing their preservation. Sharpening Georgia’s commitment to safeguarding these sites is a wonderful tribute to his memory.” 

Georgia’s historic battlefields are well-documented, but not fully protected and often not open to the public. Congressionally authorized studies have identified 34 historically significant battlefields in Georgia with thousands of vulnerable acres retaining enough historical integrity to make them worthy of preservation.  

“This legislation will ensure a permanent legacy to preserve our historic battlefields — a meaningful tribute on the 250th Anniversary of our nation and to the late great Coach Dooley. As we see development creeping throughout our state, preservation efforts like this have never been more important. In doing so, we will help share our country’s history and help educate future generations of Americans.” said Rep. Gaines.

HB 454 would establish a competitive matching grant program that would encourage federal and private sector investment in Georgia’s battlefields. The program mirrors similar successful state-level programs in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi which have attracted more than $75 million for battlefield preservation in those states. Visitation to Georgia battlefields managed by the National Park Service attracted nearly 3 million visitors in 2023 – spending $200 million and supporting more than 2,800 jobs in the state. These figures do not include battlefield parks managed by state parks and local governments.

“Georgia already enjoys tremendous economic benefits from the millions of visitors that our historic sites receive annually. With travel industry experts predicting renewed interest in heritage tourism during the anniversary period, the lands protected through this fund will offer more for them to explore, encouraging longer and more diverse stays.” added Rep. Trey Rhodes, who chairs the Game, Fish and Parks Committee.

The American Battlefield Trust, which has protected nearly 2,400 acres across the state since 1997, has proactively identified more than 200 acres across numerous battlefields that could be preserved if the state were to invest in the new program. The Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund would enable a swift pursuit of preservation opportunities at Kettle Creek, a Revolutionary War battlefield recently named a National Park Service Affiliated Site, as well as Rocky Face Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain and Ringgold Gap, among others. 

Other historic preservation organizations across the state similarly support the fund’s creation, including the Georgia Battlefields Association and the Brier Creek Battlefield Association.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected nearly 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, including 2,400 acres in Georgia. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

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