Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act

Key Points

• This bill would create a new National Historical Park called the Civil War Defenses of Washington. It would combine 19 existing federal sites, including old forts and a cemetery, located in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.
• The goal is to better protect and explain the history of the forts that surrounded the capital during the Civil War. Visitors would see improved signs, maps, and educational programs to help them understand how these sites protected the government during the 1860s.
• One of the most famous sites included is Fort Stevens. This is the only place in American history where a sitting president, Abraham Lincoln, came under direct fire from an enemy army during a battle.
• The government would be allowed to partner with local cities or private owners who have historic sites on their land. However, these owners must give their written permission to be part of the park, and the government is not allowed to take any private land by force.
• The Secretary of the Interior would have one year to study the best ways to teach the public about the history of both the North and the South. This study will look at how the war changed the country, including the end of slavery and the impact on the economy.

Impact Analysis

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