Park Day 2013

DUE TO PREDICTED SEVERE WEATHER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013, THE ANNUAL CWT PARK DAY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013. TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES REMAIN THE SAME.

 

Volunteers paint cannon carriages at Battery DeGolyer

NPS Photo

News Release Date: March 13, 2013

Contact: Virginia DuBowy, Natural Resources Program Manager, 601-619-2911

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with the Civil War Trust to help clean and restore America's priceless battlefields, cemeteries and shrines.In its 17^th year, Park Day is the nationwide volunteer effort created by the Civil War Trust, underwritten with a grant from History™ and endorsed by Take Pride in America, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

This annual hands-on preservation event assists local groups with the maintenance of Civil War sites. This year, more than 100 sites in 25 states are expected to take part in the effort, with activities ranging from trash removal to trail building.In exchange for their hard work, volunteers receive t-shirts and learn the site's history from local experts.

At Vicksburg National Military Park, volunteers are needed to help cut and clear brush and debris from an historic African-American cemetery and primitive hiking trail within the park's interior, help paint cannon and carriages on the battlefield, and paint benches in the Heritage Garden. Sign-up will start at 8:00 a.m. at the Visitor Center parking lot, with the first 75 volunteers receiving a free T-shirt. Come dressed for outdoor work! Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty or paint-spotted. For safety reasons and due to the nature of the work, clothing should include long-sleeved shirts, long pants, tennis shoes or work boots, and work gloves. Additional hand tools (e.g., loppers, pruners - no chainsaws) are welcome. Come prepared for the sun with a cap, sunscreen, and plenty of water to drink.

The park will again provide a pizza lunch at 12:00 noon at the Tour Stop 12 picnic area, and will include a presentation provided by the park's interpretive staff.

For more information about Park Day at Vicksburg National Military Park, please contact Virginia DuBowy, Natural Resources Program Manager, (601-619-2911; [e-mail]).For more information on Vicksburg National Military Park, go to www.nps.gov/vick/.

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its goal is to preserve our nation's endangered Civil War sites and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 32,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. To learn more, please visit the Trust's website at www.civilwar.org.