Saving the Dalton Battlefields for Future Generations
When community passion meets persistence, incredible things happen.
For more than twenty years, local preservationists dreamed of saving a 61-acre stretch of Dalton’s Civil War history, land marked by original earthworks and stories etched into the hills. This fall, that dream became reality.
Thanks to the vision and generosity of many, Save the Dalton Battlefields, LLC has officially transferred ownership of the property to the American Battlefield Trust, ensuring it will be preserved forever. The land is now protected for its historical significance and natural beauty as a living classroom for generations to come.
A Community Effort Years in the Making
This project is a story of collaboration and commitment. Local leaders, national preservation organizations, and individual donors alike came together to make it possible. The real hero of this story is local historian and preservationist Robert Jenkins, President of Save the Dalton Battlefields and committed leader of this effort. His energy and action channeled local parties to ensure this vision became reality.
Special thanks go to Tom Gilmore, Kathy Robertson, and the team at the American Battlefield Trust for turning a twenty-year dream into a reality; to Whitfield County Commission Chairman Jevin Jensen and Administrator Bob Sivick for championing historic and environmental preservation; and to Joel Houser and the Open Space Institute for helping bridge the funding gap that finally brought the project home.
Many others also played pivotal roles: Gretchen and John Lugthart for connecting conservation and preservation partners, Sam Davis Elliott, Steve Tarvin, and the Frank P. Pierce Foundation for early financial leadership. The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia has served as the charitable management partner for managing, investing, and stewarding project funds.
In fact, as the Community Foundation administered the fundraising project, the account even earned over $2,100 in interest, helping close the purchase gap—a small example of how strategic charitable management can multiply local impact.
“We earned $2,190.44 in interest that helped to purchase this property as we collected monies for this project thanks to the Community Foundation’s leadership and sponsorship.”
What Comes Next
While the land is officially saved, the work is only beginning. Plans are underway to introduce hiking trails, interpretive markers, and environmental education areas. This vision will make the space accessible and meaningful to visitors while preserving its historical and natural integrity.
Partners including the Georgia Piedmont Land Trust, Whitfield County Parks and Recreation, and others are collaborating on next steps to ensure this treasured landscape continues to inspire stewardship, education, and reflection.
A Testament to Charitable Vision
This project reminds us why charitable dreams matter. When donors align passion with strategy—whether it’s preserving local history, protecting green spaces, or funding education—the results echo far beyond a single gift.
At the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, we help turn dreams like this into enduring impact. Because when you love where you live, you give where you live, and that gift shapes legacies that last for generations. Sometimes the vision is a long-game, but that makes the reality so much sweeter.
Interested in aligning your charitable vision with impact?
Let’s talk about how your giving can preserve, protect, and strengthen the places and causes you love most.
