The Summer 2002 edition of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly is a special issue dedicated to the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area. Below is the Introduction to the issue and a link to the management plan posted on the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage area website.

Introducing the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area

   In past issues of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly, featured articles and special issues have given readers opportunities to learn about exciting new developments in the recordation, interpretation, and preservation of the state's history. These articles have ranged from Edwin Keeble's address for a new state library and archives in the 1940s to the publication of the historic structure report on the restoration of the state capitol in the late 1980s. This special issue gives members of the Tennessee Historical Society and readers of the Quarterly a chance to learn about, to offer comments on, and become part of the recently approved Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.

   The concept of the heritage area is a new development in the nation's history of land conservation and historic preservation. A successful heritage area is based on partnerships between federal agencies, state institutions, non-profit groups, and local communities and local constituencies. Congress approved legislation creating the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area in 1996 and by early 2001, Governor Don Sundquist and Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt had signed the government compact for the heritage area.

   Later in 2001, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University submitted to the National Park Service a master plan- a vision statement and outline of the heritage area's goals and programs- for the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area. The pages of this special issue feature an amended version of that master plan, one designed to inform and to solicit ideas and suggestions from the thousands of citizens who hold pride in and want to know more about Tennessee history. Of particular interest are the almost 400 properties found in the initial interpretive plan listing of potential historic sites and places associated with the Civil War and Reconstruction era. This list, it is hoped, will prompt other groups and individuals to bring still additional important historic properties to the attention of the heritage area.

   The Tennessee Historical Society is one of the state's twenty-nine representatives on the board of the heritage area. It endorses the heritage area goals and encourages its members to be active in this important effort to document, interpret, and enhance these pivotal years, 1850 to 1875, of Tennessee history.

Carroll Van West

Senior Editor, Tennessee Historical Quarterly

Read the major themes of the management plan for the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area at the website link provided below.