That old-time preservation.(letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)

In criticizing National Heritage Areas ("An Ugly Heritage," January 28), John J. Miller appears to be condemning all preservation efforts. While his critique of the National Trust has merit, he gives the impression, if only by omission, that all preservation groups are anti-growth, obstructionist, and in pursuit of land-use control.

This is untrue. The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), an organization of more than 70,000 students of the Civil War and of which I am a member, seeks out and acts to preserve battlefield lands that are threatened by development. It identifies such hallowed grounds and either buys the land or acquires preservation easements. This is done primarily with private funds. When federal or state money is available, it is strictly on the basis of matching funds, so that in every case the acquisition depends on private largesse.

CWPT has played a crucial role in preserving our heritage. It has, for example, been material in the prevention of a Disney theme park that was proposed at Manassas, of a racetrack on the Brandy Station battlefield, and of a major industrial park on the Chancellorsville battlefield; and it has acquired major acreage on threatened ...