J C J Barefoot
Private
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2019
Friends-
I’ve been to over 30 ACW battlefields. There are several that I considered towering above the others. There were others where my grand expectations were unfulfilled. Why? What makes one place excellent -one that you want to return to and another merely interesting? Recently I sat down to come up with a list of determinates that make for a really excellent visit.
From my list I then developed a scoring system to my list, with explanations to rank the battlefields. Below is my list and explanations. Please provide your comments on either my list and/or your how you would evaluation the sites you have visited.
I’ve been to over 30 ACW battlefields. There are several that I considered towering above the others. There were others where my grand expectations were unfulfilled. Why? What makes one place excellent -one that you want to return to and another merely interesting? Recently I sat down to come up with a list of determinates that make for a really excellent visit.
From my list I then developed a scoring system to my list, with explanations to rank the battlefields. Below is my list and explanations. Please provide your comments on either my list and/or your how you would evaluation the sites you have visited.
- My list of 7:
- Preservation - Is the land is preserved close to the way it looked at the time of the conflict? It is free from modern encroachment and the land is well maintained. There is a sense of presence and honor. The dead are buried near by.
- Topography- The ground is something other than flat or heavily wooded, allowing good views. There are restored or original buildings. There are good hills and vistas, rivers, mountains, railroads that make the ground visually interesting
- Drama The battle itself has a dramatic story. It fathered famous quotes or events. The battle story has a tension and epic plots and sub plots. Included in the drama is the conduct of the ordinary solider
- Generals- Are there Generals on each side of historic importance in the total war and do their decisions and strategies play out to tell the story of the battle.
- Outcome- Does the outcome of the Battle make it worth the time to visit? Did the bloodshed have strategic or political importance?
- Visitor Center and Guides- Is there outstanding visitor support? Is the visitor center well done , attractive and does it provide a meaningful and embracing overview of the battle? Are there good films and lectures that leave the visitor excited to start on the tour? Are there well informed park staff or guides? If not is the battlefield known for outstanding private guides?
- Orientation- Can a visitor get oriented to the opening, middle and end of the battle by walking or driving the ground? Is it simple and easy to understand the charges and counter charges or is the flow of the battle choppy, disoriented and confusing?