Mission

Established in 1986, Friends of the Park is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that serves as an advocate for the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, helping to preserve, promote and enhance its resources for the benefit of the public.

Core values

• Respect for our past. We honor America's history and support the Park in preserving hallowed ground and irreplaceable cultural resources.
• Fiscal stewardship. We are dedicated to ongoing financial support for Park needs. We commit ourselves to fiscal sustainability, excellent stewardship of contributed funds, and sound relationships with partners who can help us achieve our mission.
• Service to the public. We are aligned with the Park in serving the public. We strive to engage the entire community in our efforts to promote public understanding of the Park and appreciation of its significance. We endorse excellence, relevance and inclusiveness in the Park's educational outreach and visitor experiences.

Vision

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park commemorates vivid stories of conflict, change, reconciliation and reunion. It is a place for remembrance, reflection and discovering more about what it means to be an American. Established as the first national military park and first national historical park, it remains the model for all others.

As Friends, we enhance the Park and strive to instill in others our passion for all it symbolizes. By engaging the public, volunteers, partners and donors in our work, we inspire the community and every Park visitor to honor the past, better understand its relevance to lives today, and preserve it for the future.

National model

Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga was one of the first groups formed in the nation to support a national military park. We are recognized as a national model for raising $3.6 million, expanding the Park's visitor center to include orientation facilities, and producing the year-long celebration of the Park's 100th anniversary in 1989-90. Vigorous and committed, our organization ensures continued volunteer support for the cherished historic legacy and natural beauty of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga areas.

President
Becky Browder

Vice Presidents
Richard Arp
Lynn Fant Burke
Linda Hisey
Carrington Montague

Treasurer
Khara Lounsbury

Secretary
Bernie Hilbrandt

At-Large Officers
John Hilbrandt
Mary Lynn Wilson
Dwayne Smith
John Culpepper
Jack Deaton
Brian Eades
Mary Eastman
Sam Elliott
Anthony Hodges
Ansley Moses
Pete Palmer
Beth Roberson
Steve Scharf
Scott Sholl
Carlene Vital
Dr. Clark White
Doris White
Debi Wilson
Pat Williams

Emeritus
Karen Diamond
Leonard Fant
Hon. W. Neil Thomas, III

Executive Director
Patrice Glass

Park Superintendent
Cathleen Cook