American Battlefield Trust Urges Support for Bill to Usher in New Visitor Center for Vicksburg NMP

(Washington, D.C.) — The American Battlefield Trust is urging preservation advocates to contact their legislators in support of bipartisan legislation that will clear the way for a state-of-the-art new visitor center for Vicksburg National Military Park. An online mechanism hosted by the Trust allows constituents to urge their U.S. senators and representative to support the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act (S. 1016 and H.R. 4467, respectively), which would allow for a small but critical adjustment to the boundary of one of the nation’s oldest and most significant military parks. If passed, two properties totaling 11 acres would be transferred to the State of Mississippi to allow for construction of a much-needed new visitor center.  

“We are truly grateful for these lawmakers hard work in making this new visitor center a reality,” said American Battlefield Trust President David N. Duncan. “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.” 

Vicksburg National Military Park is the most visited cultural site in Mississippi, welcoming more than 400,000 guests in 2024. But its current cramped 1960s-era visitor center is no longer up to the task of interpreting and orienting that many people to one of the Civil War’s most important campaigns. Built when the park only covered the 47-day siege rather than the full campaign, it does not have the space or infrastructure to adequately cover the fuller interpretive story the park now encompasses.  

The Senate bill was introduced by Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, while the House bill was introduced by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS2) and co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS3) and Rep. Trent Kelley (R-MS1). 

“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. “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.” 

Designed by award-winning architects with a modern aesthetic meant to echo battlefield earthworks, the new museum and visitor center will also have sufficient space for interpretive programming, school resources, guided tours and more. This will be a significant upgrade to the visitor experience at the park and provide a venue where travelers can learn about other museums, destinations and opportunities across the region.  

“Tourists from across the country are visiting Mississippi to learn about the history of the Civil War. Preserving and sharing Vicksburg’s past will help increase tourism in our state. This land for the new interpretive center would play a key role in the efforts to modernize the park and ensure that future generations can enjoy, and learn, from these stories,” Senator Wicker said. 

The planned visitor center is a cooperative venture between the federal government, the State of Mississippi and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign. The collaborative nature of this project, bringing together state and federal agencies as well as supportive nonprofit partners, is to be commended and encouraged.  

"This is an incredibly exciting moment for our park, region and state," said Bess Averett, executive director of the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign. "We're thankful for the support of this Sen. Wicker, Sen. Hyde-Smith, and Rep. Thompson, and we are grateful for the partnership between the state and NPS to make this visitor center a reality."   

All parties involved understand that this initiative will bolster the keystone of the regional heritage tourism economy. In 2023, the last year for which full NPS analysis is available, visitors to the national park spent an estimated $23.0 million in the gateway community, supporting 339 jobs and $9.3 million in labor income. Second order effects of this spending rippling throughout the community equate to $31.0 million in total economic output. By connecting visitors at a central location with information about the area’s myriad opportunities, it will encourage longer stays and a greater diversity of sites frequented, increasing this economic impact. 

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org. 

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