Journey Through Hallowed Ground NHA (JTHG) recently began an effort to plant and dedicate a tree for each of the more than 620,000 soldiers who died during the Civil War. Some of these trees have been dedicated to soldiers from Adams and Wells County. The Living Legacy Project was launched to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the War and will stretch along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway. This scenic route crosses the Mason-Dixon Line and connects over 30 communities that were affected by the Civil War. Within the byway region can be found the largest concentration of Civil War National Park sites in the country, including early battle sites (Harpers Ferry and Manassas), mid-war sites (Antietam and Gettysburg), and the war's conclusion at Appomattox.

Upon completion, the Living Legacy Project will have created a 180-mile landscaped allée, the first in the world. A signature palette of native seasonal trees has been selected to represent the courage of the individuals being honored appropriate to the diverse landscapes along the corridor. Sensitivity to local ecosystems, scenic views, and traditional development patterns is also being considered.

Several hundred trees have already been planted or dedicated at Oatlands, a National Trust for Historic Preservation site in Virginia. This is the location of the trees for the Adams/Wells County soldiers.

Eventually the trees will be geo-tagged to allow smart phone users to learn the story of each individual soldier. "Every tree represents a life," says Beth Erickson, Vice President of the JTHG Partnership. "As visitors see these trees one after another and realize how many lives were sacrificed during the Civil War, it will truly make an impact."