Inaugural Grants of the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Help Save More Than 300 Acres at Resaca

(Resaca, Ga.) — The very first grants from the new Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund have been awarded, marking a new era of historic preservation in the Peach State. The fund, named for the legendary University of Georgia football coach, historian and tireless preservation advocate, awarded two grants totaling $945,475 to support ongoing preservation efforts by the American Battlefield Trust to save more than 300 acres at Resaca Battlefield, with many other sites soon to follow.

“From his time on the gridiron to his decade on our Board of Trustees, Vince Dooley brought passion and tenacity to everything he did,” said David Duncan, president of the American Battlefield Trust. “This fund is the perfect way to honor Coach Dooley’s legacy. This addition to the Resaca battlefield is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in an incredible preservation story in Georgia.”

Development threats to these 303 acres have loomed large in recent years. The land was subject to an industrial rezoning effort in early 2025. While that attempt failed, the properties remained vulnerable until they were acquired by the Trust. The acreage adds to the more than 1,000 acres previously saved by the Trust on the battlefield.

The portions of the battlefield protected by the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund are crucial in understanding the fighting in May 1864 as part of Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s campaign to capture Atlanta. Troops from both the Union and Confederate armies fought on the acres being preserved throughout the three-day battle, which proved inconclusive. Confederate earthworks also remain on the property.

Threats to Resaca’s historic landscape are not unique. Georgia’s historic battlefields dating to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War are well documented, but not fully protected and not always accessible to the public. Congressionally authorized studies have identified 34 historically significant battlefields in Georgia with thousands of vulnerable acres retaining enough historical integrity to make them worthy of preservation.

The bill to establish the fund was first introduced by Rep. Houston Gaines (Athens-120) and passed by the Georgia House of Representatives in March of last year. Spearheaded in the Senate by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who served as co-captain of the 2002 SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs football team, and Sen. Bill Cowsert (Athens-46), it passed the Senate unanimously soon after. Sen. Brandon Beach (Alpharetta-21), chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, Sen. Matt Brass (Newnan-6), chair of the Senate Rules Committee, Rep. Trey Rhodes, chair of the Game, Fish and Parks Committee, were also instrumental in its passage. With Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature on May 13, 2025, Georgia became the fifth state to establish a matching grant program specifically dedicated to protecting historic battlefield landscapes. 

“These first grants are an exciting milestone in the preservation Georgia’s historic battlefields, ensuring future generations will experience our nation’s history firsthand—and continuing the incredible legacy of Coach Dooley,” said Rep. Houston Gaines (Athens-120), who first introduced the bill. 

“The Vince Dooley Trust fund is an important opportunity to preserve the historical and natural treasures that make our state unique,” said Sen. Jason Anavitarte (Dallas-31). “As our state continues to grow and develop, protecting these pieces of land becomes even more important. Preserving Georgia’s history is about making sure future generations have the opportunity to experience and appreciate the places that helped shape our state.”

Other historic preservation organizations across the state have also supported the fund’s creation, including the Georgia Battlefields Association, Brier Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield Association, Friends of Fort Morris State Park, Friends of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Kettle Creek Battlefield Association and Save the Dalton Battlefields. 

The Resaca acquisitions supported by these grants are just the Trust’s most recent work in Georgia. Since 1997, it has worked with local partners to save more than 2,400 acres valued at more than $10.2 million across eight Georgia battlefields:  Chickamauga, Dallas, Griswoldville, Kennesaw Mountain, Kettle Creek, New Hope Church, Resaca, and Rocky Face Ridge.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 63,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states, including nearly 2,500 acres across Georgia. Learn more at battlefields.org.

###