Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9597
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-07-06: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-07-09T03:23:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

The bill aims to protect, preserve, enhance, and interpret the cultural, historical, natural, and recreational resources tied to the Civil War defenses of Washington, located in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland.
It also requires a study of ways to assemble and present the broader history of the Civil War (including both Northern and Southern perspectives, the defenses, and the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign) in an educational manner for the public.

Redesignation: Renames the Civil War defenses of Washington as the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park.
Included Areas: Incorporates specific federally owned sites managed by the National Park Service, such as 18 forts (e.g., Fort Stevens, Fort Totten) and affiliated areas like Fort Circle Drive and Battleground National Cemetery.
Affiliation Options: Allows local government-owned sites (e.g., Fort Ward in Virginia, Battery Bailey in Maryland) and certain private sites to join via voluntary cooperative agreements, with owner consent required and no use of eminent domain.
Study Requirement: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to examine creative, cost-effective methods for conveying Civil War history and submit a report with recommendations to Congress within one year.
Administration: Places the park under standard National Park System rules, with authority for technical assistance, donations, cooperative agreements, and site marking.

Consolidates management of scattered Civil War defense sites (previously handled under separate National Park Service units like Rock Creek Park) into a single National Historical Park designation.
Introduces a formal study process for a potential National Civil War History Education Center, which is new and not part of prior law.
Expands opportunities for partnerships with local governments and private owners through cooperative agreements, while prohibiting forced land acquisition.

On Government Agencies: The National Park Service would gain a new unit to oversee, potentially requiring additional resources for maintenance, interpretation, and coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
On Citizens: Provides greater public access to historical sites for education and recreation, with emphasis on linking green spaces and offering interpretive materials about the Civil War's impact on democracy and the abolition of slavery.
On International Relations: No direct effects identified, as the bill focuses solely on domestic historical preservation.

The National Park Service and Department of the Interior, responsible for administration and the required study.
Local governments in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, which may affiliate sites voluntarily.
Private property owners and organizations with eligible historical resources.
The general public, particularly those interested in Civil War history, education, and recreation.

Legal: Explicitly bars the use of condemnation (eminent domain) for property acquisition, relying instead on voluntary agreements and donations, which limits federal power in this context.
Constitutional: Operates under Congress's authority to manage federal lands and national parks, with no apparent conflicts noted.
Political: Emphasizes a balanced view of the Civil War involving both sides, highlights the role of the defenses in preserving the Union and ending slavery, and promotes national unity through education without mandating new funding or regulations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act — issued 2026-07-06 — PDF (15 pages)