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Photo: From left to right, Wayne Hill (president of Gettysburg Construction Company, Susan Hill, Barbara Finfrock (Vice Chair of the Board of the Gettysburg Foundation) and former superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park Dr. John Latschar announce the donation of a 45-acre tract of land to the Gettysburg Foundation in April 2009.
In April 2009, Wayne and Susan Hill donated 45 acres of wetlands containing wildlife habitat to the Gettysburg Foundation. The land sits near the eastern base of Big Round Top at the southern end of the battlefield, adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park and within the Battlefield Historic District.
"The Gettysburg Foundation is honored to receive this donation to ensure that another key piece of land associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and within the Battlefield Historic District will be preserved for future generations," said Barbara J. Finfrock, Vice Chair of the Board of the Gettysburg Foundation.
Hill is a former board member of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg (now the Friends of Gettysburg). He is the owner of Gettysburg Construction Company and, as a developer and life-long resident of the Gettysburg area, realizes both historic and environmental value of wetlands that adjoin the national park.
"I have a great affinity for the park and the Foundation," said Hill, "so I'm happy we were able to make this donation. The land is a natural, beautiful spot, and now we're sure it will stay that way."
HISTORY OF THE LAND
On July 2, 1863, Union skirmishers would have been in this area. About 1,900 Union cavalry and artillery units lined up here before they attacked the right flank of the Confederate army on July 3, according to park historian John Heiser.
The preservation of this wetland area is important not only because it protects natural wildlife habitats, but it also adds to the interpretation of the battle.
Streams, creeks and runs, often surrounded by wetlands, influenced the movement of troops. During the battle, waterways would have been crossed and re-crossed by the armies, as the cooling waters relieved battle-weary and wounded soldiers from the July heat.
THE FOUNDATION'S WORK AT LAND PRESERVATION
 The Gettysburg Foundation has a long history of land preservation, and, with the acceptance of a conservation easement in July 2009, has preserved close to 700 acres of land significant to the Battle of Gettysburg, including several properties along the Baltimore Pike.
Another recent preservation success of the Foundation was the acquisition of the 80-acre Spangler Farm (right) along Blacksmith Shop Road, which was used as a field hospital during the battle and was the place where Confederate Gen. Lewis A. Armistead following Pickett's Charge, which took place on the final day of battle.
SUPPORT LAND PRESERVATION AT GETTYSBURG
You, too, can help preserve land at Gettysburg. Join the Friends of Gettysburg, the membership arm of the Gettysburg Foundation. Your membership dollars help support land preservation efforts at Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Foundation is grateful for the support of its members which enables the Foundation to continue the work of preserving history at Gettysburg National Military Park.
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