Two groups seeking the preservation of Black Jack Battlefield are forming a trust to buy and manage the historic site in southeast Douglas County.

The Black Jack Battlefield Trust plans to make a $40,000 down payment Monday, taking control of nearly 40 acres. The organization hopes to raise an additional $160,000 to complete the purchase of the site east of Baldwin.

“In order to acquire the land, the trust needs to form to own the land and manage the land,” said Carol von Tersch, president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, which is forming the trust with Friends of Black Jack Battlefield.

On June 2, 1856, pro-slavery and free state militias — the latter led by abolitionist John Brown — fought there. After three hours, the pro-slavery force surrendered. Some historians call the fighting at Black Jack the first battle of the Civil War because it constituted the first organized military fight over the issue of slavery.

A small house sits on the land, von Tersch said.

“A long-term goal will be to renovate the little house that is on the site and turn it into a museum, a teaching facility to define the role of John Brown in American history,” von Tersch said.

Longer-term, she said, the trust wants the land to become a national park or receive a federal designation as a Civil War battlefield.

“It would be great for Kansas,” she said.

Officials also hope the site can be used to attract a federal National Heritage Area designation to feature the area’s “Bleeding Kansas” history.

Kerry Altenbernd, Lawrence, president of Friends of the Black Jack Battlefield, hopes to preserve the area and create a park there in time for a dedication on June 2, 2006 -- the 150th anniversary of the battle.