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Guardians of our Nation's Past
The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and
protect our nation’s natural, cultural and historic resources,
as well as provide for the enjoyment and education of this and
future generations. On February 21, 1899, Congress
established Vicksburg National Military Park to commemorate the
campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. As one of more
than 370 park areas, it contains unique resources that set it
apart from all other national park areas. Historians and
military personnel come from all over the world to study the
battlefield, its topography, military tactics and strategy, which proved
to be a pivotal time in American History.
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| The park's enabling legislation gave the States sole
authority to erect monuments in honor of their
troops. Today, visitors will find elaborate metal and stone sculptures
throughout the battlefield. In the words of one Civil War veteran, "Vicksburg National Military Park
is the art park of the world."
The monuments, which were erected often years or decades
after the Civil War, serve as a vivid reminder of the many
sacrifices made by Union and Confederate Forces. But even
more unique are the actual "tools" of the time which
express a very different meaning. Some offer a personal
connection to the historic events that occurred so very long
ago.
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The cultural resources at
Vicksburg encompass two different artifact collections. The first
features items directly from the battlefield, such as original letters,
diaries, books, clothing, and the accouterments donated by soldiers,
civilians, and their descendants. |
| There are also many remnants of the 47 days of siege
including shot and shell, fragments of firearms, medical supplies,
cooking utensils and military equipment which can be found on exhibit at
the park Visitor Center. |
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The Goodyear Rubber Company made the black,
hard
rubber button pictured above, which was recovered from
the USS Cairo.
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The second collection consists of items recovered during the salvage of the
U.S.S. Cairo gunboat,
a powerful Union ironclad which served in the lower Mississippi River
basin. The Cairo was sunk in the Yazoo River, a tributary of the
Mississippi, five months before the siege. The gunboat has the distinction
of being the first armored warship sunk by an electrically detonated mine.
Its vast store of artifacts were found well preserved in time capsule form exactly 102 years
after the date of her sinking, on December 12, 1862. |
| The artifacts recovered
from the vessel include
medicine bottles, medical equipment, cookware, pottery, weaponry and
sailor’s personal possessions such as shaving gear, soap, tobacco,
shoes, shoe polish, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and recreational items
including fifes, dominoes, and scrimshaw.
As guardians of our past, the employees of the
National Park Service are charged with the daunting task of caring for
these unique cultural and historical collections.
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The artifacts on
display and in storage at Vicksburg National Military Park include a extensive variety
of items made of wood, metal, paper, glass,
ceramic, bone, leather, brass and iron.
Each material represented must be cared for in a
certain way, using different tools and techniques. Specialized
instruments are located throughout the exhibit areas so museum personnel can accurately
monitor and control environmental conditions. Temperature, humidity, and light levels are
closely monitored and kept at specified levels. All play a key
role in the
preservation of important pieces of history.
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Museum personnel are also watchful for plants, flowers
and natural objects which can be carried into the museum
environment. These types of activities can introduce unwanted pests, which
are very damaging to the collections.
Much thought and planning goes into the development
of exhibits. The arrangement of artifacts will set the mood and
help tell the story of their role in history. Most importantly, the exhibits are designed
for public viewing, and to continue to preserve and protect our precious
resources.
Everyone can take part in helping in the continuous preservation
efforts of natural and cultural resources within our nation’s
National Parks. Visitors must avoid contact with artifacts and
exhibits, closely adhere to rules and regulations, and promptly report
problems or criminal activity to the park staff.
Remember, what we protect today will be here for tomorrow’s
generations so they can learn about their past.
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Last update: Friday, February 16, 2001
http://www.nps.gov/vick/visctr/sitebltn/guardian.htm
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