The American Battlefield Trust is rallying support for a new state-of-the art visitor center at Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi.
Plans for the visitor center are already underway, but its construction would require an additional 11 acres be added to the park's existing 1,800 acres. A bill introduced in the House and Senate, titled the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act, would allow for two properties to be transferred to the state of Mississippi for the project.
The trust is asking supporters to sign an online letter urging passage of the bipartisan bill introduced by senators and representatives from Mississippi.
“We are truly grateful for these lawmakers hard work in making this new visitor center a reality,” American Battlefield Trust President David N. Duncan said in a news release. “This bill ensures all that come to the Vicksburg Battlefield will gain a greater understanding of our nation’s history and appreciation for its hallowed ground.”
The new Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center would be administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in cooperation with the federal government and Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign. It's estimated to cost $80 million, according to local news reports, and be completed in 2028.
Designs are already drawn and feature a modern aesthetic meant to mirror battlefield earthworks, according to the trust. The visitor center and museum would serve as a gateway to the entire region and guide visitors through a broader range of history than the current 1960s-era facility. It would also have space for interpretive programming, school resources, guided tours, and more.
“The Vicksburg Battlefield played a critical role in our nation’s history, and the story of this campaign deserves to be told in full,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, who introduced the House bill. “This new visitor center is an incredible opportunity to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers at Vicksburg and educate all history seekers about this hallowed ground.”
About 400,000 people visit the park each year and spend an estimated $23 million in the local community, according to the American Battlefield Trust.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan trust is dedicated to preserving U.S. battlegrounds associated with the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
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