New Monument in Vicksburg Honors Preservation Leader

(Washington, D.C.) — The Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust, officially dedicated a monument to John L. Nau III, a visionary preservationist and staunch supporter of our cause, on May 21, 2026. This marker, installed on the Vicksburg battlefield near the iconic Texas Memorial — which was itself rededicated that day — highlights Nau’s decades of involvement in the field of land preservation and advocacy.

Nau, a longtime Texas resident and Civil War advocate, has been active in the battlefield preservation movement for more than 25 years. He joined the Trust’s predecessor organization and served as Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2011, during the lead up to the Civil War’s 150th anniversary commemoration. He also served multiple terms in other board leadership roles, including chairing the government relations, battlefield preservation and development committees. Nau has generously given both time and monetary support that has enabled the creation of new battlefield parks, boundary expansions of preexisting parks and restoration efforts.  

“It is an incredible honor to celebrate John Nau in such a meaningful and permanent way,” remarked American Battlefield Trust president David Duncan. “His support, from the years of dedication to the guidance he provides to our organization, speaks to his tireless passion for ensuring our history is preserved.”

The monument itself is carved from sunset red granite, the same stone that has been used since the 19th century for symbolic and significant Texas buildings and statues. The distinctively hued stone is cut from Granite Mountain near Marble Falls, Texas, the same site that provided 4,000 train loads from 1886-87 to build the Texas State Capitol in Austin. In 1961 it was used to create the first and largest Texas monument on a Civil War battlefield: the Texas State Memorial at Vicksburg. During the Centennial period from 1961 to 1965, 15 additional Texas monuments made of Sunset Red granite were erected on battlefields, including Antietam, Gettysburg, Pea Ridge, Shiloh and Chickamauga — a tradition that continues to this day. 

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 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

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