Volunteers throughout Mississippi are teaming up with the American Battlefield Trust to aid in the maintenance and restoration of six Magnolia State battlefields and historic sites as part of Park Day, an annual nationwide, hands-on preservation event.
Since its inception in 1996, Park Day has attracted volunteers of all ages and abilities bound by their dedication to serving their communities.
Park Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2019, when Mississippi volunteers will be joined by thousands of fellow participants across the country in cleaning up and revitalizing 160 historic sites in 32 states. Activities are chiefly outdoor projects that range from raking leaves and collecting trash to painting and gardening. Volunteers will receive T-shirts, and some sites will provide lunch or refreshments.
A local historian may also be on hand to talk about the unique role of the site in our national story. Starting times, and occasionally event dates, may vary at each site. Mississippi volunteers interested in participating in Park Day are encouraged to contact the individual sites listed below.
Beauvoir the Jefferson Davis Home & Presidential Library, Biloxi, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Kitsaa Stevens at kstevens@beauvoir.org
Volunteers will help with building or repairing fences, clearing brush, painting, planting, trail maintenance, trash removal, garden work and general maintenance. A guided tour of the property and home will be available, and water and snacks will be provided.
Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, Corinth, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Ashley Berry at shil_interpretation@nps.gov
Volunteers will help with trash removal at Civil War earthworks at the Corinth Unit of Shiloh National Military Park. Water will be provided. (Note: This Park Day site is holding its event on Saturday, April 20, 2019)
Fort Rosalie, Natchez, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: David Slay at David_Slay@nps.gov
Volunteers will help with clearing brush, trail maintenance and trash removal. Living history programs will be available for volunteers.
Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center and Battlefields, Baldwyn, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Edwina Carpenter at bcr.edwina@gmail.com
Volunteers will help with clearing brush, trail maintenance, landscaping, trash removal and cleaning markers and signs. A tour of the battlefield will be available, and water will be provided for volunteers.
Raymond Military Park, Raymond, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Isla Tullos at mayor@raymondms.com
Volunteers will help with clearing brush, landscaping, painting, planting, trail maintenance, trash removal, painting cannon and cleaning interpretive markers. There will be a short educational program, and a meal will be provided.
Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Rose Rains at Danielle_rains@partner.nps.gov
Volunteers will help with clearing brush, landscaping, trash removal, headstone cleaning and raking. Rangers will provide an interpretation and discussion of the importance of the work in the Cemetery. Water and snacks will be provided.
For a complete list of participating Park Day sites and more information, visit www.battlefields.org/parkday. Volunteers can share their Park Day participation online using #ParkDay2019.
