Mississippi-based U.S. Senator Roger Wicker has reintroduced a bill aimed at expanding and modernizing the Vicksburg National Military Park.
Coined the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act, the legislation would modify the park’s boundary to allow for the construction of a state-of-the-art interpretive center, improving visitors’ experience and preserving the site’s legacy. The bill was initially introduced last year and was passed by the Senate, but it ultimately died. Wicker is hoping to use the current Congressional session to get the measure passed.
Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the pivotal Battle of Vicksburg, a crucial turning point in the Civil War. As Mississippi’s most-visited historical attraction, the park welcomes over half a million visitors annually and features more than 1,300 monuments and markers, 20 miles of preserved trenches, and the Vicksburg National Cemetery.
But according to officials, many of its facilities, including the visitor center, have not been updated in nearly 70 years.
The Republican senator’s legislation would transfer land from the National Park Service to the State of Mississippi, paving the way for a new, modern interpretive center that will enhance education and tourism efforts. If passed, the bill would support ongoing work to maintain and enhance Vicksburg National Military Park as a premier historical destination.
“Tourists from across the country are visiting Mississippi to learn about the history of the Civil War,” Sen. Wicker said. “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 learn from these stories.”
Those looking to learn more about the historic park can click here.
