FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eileen Bradner
March 26, 2026 epbradner@gmail.com, 571-276-0938
D.C. Civil War Round Table Announces Dean Shultz of Gettysburg, PA as the Recipient of the 2026 Ed Bearss Legacy Award
The Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia (“CWRTDC”) is pleased to announce that Dean Shultz of Gettysburg, PA has received the 2026 Edwin C. Bearss Legacy Award for his lifelong commitment to preservation of Civil War history and education.The award was presented at the CWRTDC’s meeting in McLean VA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
“Dean Shultz is a preservationist, activist, educator and true Gettysburg icon,” said Eileen Bradner, President of the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia.“Dean has long been involved in preservation efforts, including as one of the principal founders and first President of the Land Conservancy of Adams County, whose mission is to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. The Conservancy has saved nearly 14,000 acres -- many on or adjacent to battlefield lands -- from future development through the creative use of legal easements.”
“Dean has also been responsible for maintaining and preserving a portion of the Gettysburg National Park known as ‘Lost Avenue.’Dean and his wife Judy have singlehandedly maintained this hallowed spot for decades and acted as its gatekeeper, mowing paths through his and other private lands to facilitate access to this special Gettysburg site,” Bradner said.
Shultz is a recognized expert on Gettysburg history and the “go to” source for local and national historians and tour leaders when developing new lessons and tours. Through his efforts, lands adjacent to and within the Gettysburg National Military Park have been preserved from development, earning him the Civil War Trust’s “Preservationist of the Year” honor.
The CWRTDC is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Its purpose is to stimulate interest in the Civil War from all aspects – political, cultural, military and economic. It is also committed to preserving historical sites and landmarks through initiatives such as its annual Edwin C. Bearss Awards.
The Legacy Award is named for Edwin C. Bearss, legendary Civil War historian, Marine Corps veteran of World War II, National Park Service Chief Historian, and lifetime member of the CWRTDC who continued to lead historical talks and tours well into his 90’s. The Award is given to a person or persons who exemplify and emulate Ed Bearss’ dedication in their personal efforts and commitment to preserve Civil War historic sites, landmarks, and relevant educational activities.
###
_____________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eileen Bradner
March 26, 2026 epbradner@gmail.com, 571-276-0938
D.C. Civil War Round Table Announces The Alexandria Historical Society as the Recipient of 2026 Ed Bearss Preservation Award
The Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia (“CWRTDC”) is pleased to announce that the Alexandria Historical Society has received the 2026 Edwin C. Bearss Preservation Award, which comes with a grant of $2,500, to help pay costs associated with the Civil War section of the Alexandria Digital History Museum set to launch later this year. The award was presented at the CWRTDC’s meeting in McLean VA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
The Alexandria Historical Society is establishing a digital history museum that will bring together stories that stretch across Alexandria’s past,” said Eileen Bradner, President of the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia. “The museum will be an asset to all history organizations in Alexandria and beyond, creating a new resource to help locals, visitors and anyone with an internet connection learn more about Alexandria during the Civil War. This project is imaginative, modern and helps create an adaptable platform for sharing the research and findings of future historians.”
“The Alexandria Historical Society is grateful to the CWRTDC for this award and their support of our new digital museum,” said Scott Vierick, Alexandria Historical Society board member. “For over 50 years, the Alexandria Historical Society has worked to foster greater understanding of Alexandria’s diverse, complex, and compelling past, including its Civil War history. We look forward to sharing the museum with the CWRTDC and with the public when it launches this summer.
The CWRTDC is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Its purpose is to stimulate interest in the Civil War from all aspects – political, cultural, military and economic. It is also committed to preserving historical sites and landmarks through initiatives such as its annual Edwin C. Bearss Awards.
The Preservation Award is named for Edwin C. Bearss, legendary Civil War historian, Marine Corps veteran of World War II, National Park Service Chief Historian, and lifetime member of the CWRTDC who continued to lead historical talks and tours well into his 90’s. The Award is given annually to a non-profit organization or public entity to assist in preservation of a Civil War site or history, with “preservation” being used in the broadest sense. This includes the acquisition of property, the building, repair or restoration of a property, and the promotion, definition or narration of a site through interpretation and information infrastructure, including research and educational materials or displays.
###
_______________________
THANK YOU ED BEARSS FUND CONTRIBUTORS:
The Round Table would like to sincerely thank all those who contributed this operational year to the fund established to support the Edwin C. Bearss Awards. Such support helps ensure the sustainability of the awards to honor Ed’s life and legacy and to continue his mission to encourage interest in the history of the Civil War and the preservation and interpretation of historical sites and landmarks:
Allen Barna William Binzel Eileen Bradner Lynn Bristol Emily Bueermann Kurt DeSoto William Dickinson II Paul Eilbes Francis Gorman
| Michael Hines Arthur "Sash" Impastato Steven Jaren John Lockwood Jacqueline Lussier Glenn Marcus Jerry Mendenhall Daniel Mick Russ Norfleet
| Richard Pitterle Thomas Ross Ian Saltz Scott Sanger Donald Sebastian Logan Smith Wendy Swanson Dominic "Mickey" Terrone Paula Tarnapol Whitacre |
