Natural Lands Trust, in partnership with Schuylkill Township, Chester County, and the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, announced the acquisition of a conservation easement on the Medal of Honor Grove. The Grove is the oldest living memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients, and the easement ensures that it will be preserved in perpetuity.
Courtesy of Freedoms Foundation
“We are delighted to have played a role in the permanent conservation of this sacred green space,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust.
The Medal of Honor was instituted by President Lincoln and was first awarded to recipients from the Civil War. It is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an American soldier.
“In October 1964, over 100 Medal of Honor recipients came to participate in the dedication of the Grove, bringing to bear its the significance of its vision,” said Thomas Kelley, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “It’s been over 50 years since that day and the Grove is just as important now as it was then, perhaps more so. I can’t be more pleased that this easement will secure its preservation and its tribute for future generations to come.”
The sprawling Grove comprises the majority of the Freedoms Foundation’s 72-acre campus, paying tribute to recipients with memorials and obelisks located on land set apart for each of America’s 50 states and two territories. The historic part of the campus is noted for its walking trails, woodland beauty, and atmosphere of peaceful reverence.
“With the continued growth in Schuylkill Township, it is important to conserve areas of natural beauty that enhance our environment and quality of life,” said Bob Mauch, chairman of the Schuylkill Township Open Space Commission.
