GDG- cylclorama

[Thomas Eishen]

I think it is a mistake for those interested in historical preservation to narrow their focus to only certain time periods.  There are already enough forces at work trying to destroy our history that the last thing we need are for those bent on saving it to be fighting among themselves.  When that happens, we all lose.  

 

If it weren't for its location, the Cyclorama on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg would be a structure worth saving just as was the Jenskins house near Stone's River National Battlefield, which was torn down to make way for development.  While many think their reasons for wanting the cyclorama destroyed are valid, the truth is the effect is no different.  A national treasure will be destroyed and lost forever.  

 

As our population continues to move to the large urban areas of the east more and more battlefield land and historic structures are lost everyday.  Instead of historic preservation groups spending money fighting, we should be working together to save all our history and not just the part we are interested in. 

 

As Lincoln said, "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."

 

We are again involved in a great struggle, but this one is the effort to save the memory of those who came before us.  As developers work to meet the needs of the increasing population, the struggle will become even more desperate. 

 

Just as a portion of the field was set aside to honor those who gave their lives, I think we should set aside a portion to be a rallying point in the struggle to save our history.  I say leave the Cyclorama where it is and turn it into a monument for historic preservation.  It could serve as the National Center for Historic Preservation a working memorial where all historic preservation groups can work together to find common ground and educate developers on the benefits for them in saving our history.  

 

As the Pennsylvania Memorial stands to the south on Cemetery Ridge as a reminder of the "great civil war" the Cyclorama should remain as a national rallying point in the struggle to save those places that are our national history. 

 

 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Thomas Eishen