
Military History in National Parks
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Our PlacesNational parks preserve the places and stories of the American military and provide those in the military community opportunities to connect to our nation’s beautiful landscapes.
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Our StoriesFrom memorials to monuments, some of our most iconic national parks commemorate those who have served, keeping alive the history of our military.
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NPF's CommitmentThe National Park Foundation supports programs and projects that recognize and reflect military histories and stories, past and present, in our parks.
Commemorating Military History
National parks have always had strong ties to the military – until the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, many of the parks’ first rangers were members of the U.S. Calvary. During times of war, some park lands were set aside for the training and care of military personnel. National parks mark the places where clashes took place, where soldiers and their families slept and lived, and where we now go to remember and reflect upon our military, past and present.
The National Park Foundation (NPF)’s work in many of our areas of work, from preserving history and culture to envisioning parks of the future, supports parks which preserve and share these multifaceted histories. Together with NPS, we are working to expand storytelling in our parks, including our American military history, to help share a more comprehensive history of the U.S.
NPF supports national parks, programs, and projects that highlight America’s military history, as well as supports and honors those who have and continue to serve our country.

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ProjectPreserving Captain Charles Young's HomeNPF played a significant role in creating Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument through our African American Experience Fund (AAEF). Through AAEF, NPF provided the necessary funding to purchase the history property from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s Friendship Foundation.
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ProjectProject Healing Waters Fly FishingNPF’s ParkVentures program grant supported Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing in Shenandoah National Park, providing disabled veterans a space for healing and community.
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ProjectInterpreting VicksburgNPF supported the installation of new interpretive displays at Vicksburg National Military Park to help visitors understand significant moments in the Vicksburg campaign during the Civil War.
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ProjectWelcoming Visitors to Little BighornNPF, with a generous gift from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, supported a multi-year project to construct a new visitor center at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The visitor center will better protect museum collections and provide greater access to exhibits and enhanced functionality, as well as new areas for interpretive and educational programs.
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ProjectLaunching an Aviation Discovery LabThanks to a grant from the Fund II Foundation, NPF’s African American Experience Fund supported a new Discovery Lab at Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. The lab will serve as a central location for aviation research, education, training, and public programming.
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ProjectProtecting ArtifactsNPF supported the expansion of the visitor center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, home to one over 81,000 documents and objects. The dramatic transformation of the visitor center will allow fragile artifacts and other items to be rendered in 3D for visitors to explore.
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ProjectEstablishing Camp Nelson National MonumentIn partnership with the American Battlefield Trust, NPF facilitated the donation of nearly 382 acres to help establish Camp Nelson National Monument, preserving the site that was a Union Army recruitment and training center for African American soldiers and as a camp for freed people during the Civil War.

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ParksPreserving Veterans StoriesExplore the lives of veterans whose stories are preserved and shared in national parks across the country.
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ParksVisiting the Vietnam Veterans MemorialLearn more about D.C.’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial, including the powerful symbolism enshrined within the national park site.

You can help improve access to places, cultural heritage, and stories that give Americans a stronger connection to our country. Support NPF’s work around preserving the history and culture that live within our national parks.