Media Advisory: Interior Sec. Sally Jewel to Join Conservation Leaders at Gaines' Mill for Major Preservation Announcement

(Mechanicsville, Va.) - On Thursday, July 10, 2014, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward will join the Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer on the Gaines' Mill Battlefield for an exciting historic preservation announcement.

The event will mark the latest achievement of the ongoing public-private partnership to protect the battlefields during the national sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War (2011-2015).  Participants will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which helps funds historic preservation projects as well as other conservation-related activities across the country.

The news conference will be held at the historic Watt House at the Gaines' Mill unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park, beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Following the news conference, National Park Service historians will be available to discuss the history of this pivotal 1862 battle, and its impact of the Civil War.  Refreshments will be provided.

WHAT: News Conference to Announce Major Preservation Achievement on Gaines' Mill Battlefield

WHO: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, VA Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer, and other conservation leaders

WHEN: Thursday, July 10 at 11:00 a.m. EDT

WHERE: Watt House at Richmond National Battlefield Park, 6283 Watt House Road, Mechanicsville, VA  23111

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. To date, it has preserved more than 39,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states, including 20,500 acres in Virginia.  Learn more at www.civilwar.org, the home of the Civil War sesquicentennial.