Historical records—paintings, photographs, and books—are one-dimensional. History is three-dimensional. You need the place where that history happened in order to see, touch, and understand the history. Reading about the signing of the Declaration of Independence is nothing compared to standing in that room, on the same floorboards, where those men stood. Reading about any battle during the Civil War is educational, but not as enlightening as standing on the ground where that battle happened. I found an extended life-long passion in being able to literally “touch” history—use on the same stone steps, touch the same doorknob, stand in the field, walk along a trench line, look out from a parapet. I re-ignite that passion every time I have the privilege of standing on a battlefield, or make a contribution to save one. We cannot relegate this country’s history to paintings, photographs, and books. We must preserve the “places”—forever—so that everyone has the opportunity to make the connections, “touch” history, and perhaps find their own passion.
Jan Kovarik
