The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area was established on May 8, 2008 by Public Law 110-229, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008.
[1][2] The designation provides a framework for the promotion and interpretation of the area's cultural and historic character, with particular emphasis on the region's role in the American Civil War, and the preservation of the natural and built environment.
Its mission is to promote and support civic engagement through history education, economic development through heritage tourism, and the preservation of cultural landscapes in one of the nation’s most important historic regions.
[8] Once known as Old Carolina Road,[9] the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway runs 180 miles (290 km) through three states and includes portions of US Rt.
The group alternates between classroom studies and visits to historic sites within and near the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area.
[18] The Academy uses the case-based History of American Democracy curriculum developed by Harvard Business School Professor David A. Moss.
The cases provide an interdisciplinary and contextual examination of key historic events, permitting students to consider multiple viewpoints and to place themselves in the role of decision makers.
Among the 2018 guest speakers were David Rubenstein, Ernest Green, Margaret Richardson, Brent Glass, Jon Parrish Peede, Trevor Potter, Douglas Owsley, Ron Maxwell and Robert Duvall.
[19] The Academy alternates classroom work with visits to the defining historic sites in the region, from Gettysburg to Harpers Ferry, Washington, D.C., Charlottesville and Colonial Williamsburg.