Vicksburg Just Got A Huge Boost

[Tom Hughes]

From WAPT TV-16 Local News in Jackson, MS:
"Millions of dollars are being donated to preserve a historic site in Vicksburg.
The Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park announced a $2.8 million private donation was made to the Vicksburg National Military Park. That amount will be matched by $2.5 million in federal funding through the National Park Service's Centennial Challenge program.
The money is to be used for critical battlefield restoration efforts.
The iconic Illinois Memorial will be fully restored. The memorial is one of the park's most visited monuments.
Also during the project, a post-war building will be removed after it was erroneously constructed on core battlefield ground."

 

[tony_gunter]

From WAPT TV-16 Local News in Jackson, MS:
"Millions of dollars are being donated to preserve a historic site in Vicksburg.
The Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park announced a $2.8 million private donation was made to the Vicksburg National Military Park. That amount will be matched by $2.5 million in federal funding through the National Park Service's Centennial Challenge program.
The money is to be used for critical battlefield restoration efforts.
The iconic Illinois Memorial will be fully restored. The memorial is one of the park's most visited monuments.
Also during the project, a post-war building will be removed after it was erroneously constructed on core battlefield ground."

What building is being removed?

 

[Tom Hughes]

What building is being removed?

My understanding is it is the 1930's era building below the Illinois Monument. It's the one that used to serve as the park headquarters and museum decades ago.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

My understanding is it is the 1930's era building below the Illinois Monument. It's the one that used to serve as the park headquarters and museum decades ago.

I noticed when there back in March that they had the ground kinda ripped up in front of it… some sort of active project. Wondered what they were doing - especially if they want to get rid of it, anyways.

 

[Booklady]

I noticed when there back in March that they had the ground kinda ripped up in front of it… some sort of active project. Wondered what they were doing - especially if they want to get rid of it, anyways.

At one point maybe 12-15 years ago the Master Gardeners put an heirloom garden in a large plot in front of that house. That was where I first heard of a "Three Sisters" garden, but they also put in various flower varieties.

 

[Tom Hughes]

I noticed when there back in March that they had the ground kinda ripped up in front of it… some sort of active project. Wondered what they were doing - especially if they want to get rid of it, anyways.

From what I am told, the park service wants to restore the battlefield to look much like the landscape did during the siege. The only period structure left on the battlefield site is the Shirley House. The 1930's era house was originally built to be the museum and park headquarters. It's time for it to go...especially now that they have the money to remove it with.