News Release

Vicksburg National Military Park recruiting Licensed Battlefield Guides

Licensed Battlefield Guide patch

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 16, 2022

Contact: Brendan Wilson, [phone]

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Vicksburg National Military Park is currently recruiting candidates to become Licensed Battlefield Guides. The National Park Service (NPS), the Vicksburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Association, and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign are partnering to provide training for individuals wishing to become certified as Licensed Battlefield Guides.  

Licensed Battlefield Guides are not Federal or park employees, however are licensed through the park under special Congressional legislation to provide guided historic tours in the park. Fees received by the Guides for these tours are set by the park and vary depending upon the size of the tour group and duration of the tour.   

To become Licensed Battlefield Guides, applicants must pass a thorough written examination on the Civil War and, in particular, the campaigns and Siege of Vicksburg. Those that pass the written exam must also pass an oral exam, where they bring a park ranger/guide out on an actual tour of the park, to qualify for their licensure. Upon completion of the written exam, additional training and mentoring will be provide on how to develop and conduct tours to prepare for the oral exam. 

A series of seminars will be held over the next several months, starting Tuesday, March 1, 2021, to help prepare candidates for the exams. Tuesday seminars will be open to the public and free of charge. The two Saturday programs/tours will be reserved for potential candidates. Potential candidates are not required to attend the seminars, however they are intended to help potential candidates study for the exams. Additional study materials including a training manual and a reading list will be provided. Exams will be scheduled with candidates.

Seminars

Dates:  Tuesdays March 1,8,15,22,29                                                     
April 4, 12              
 Saturday April 9 and 16

Times:  Tuesdays 6:30-9 pm                         
 Saturdays 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Location:  2414 Grove Street, Vicksburg MS 39183.

For more information contact: 
Brendan Wilson e-mail us 601-642-6881, Vicksburg National Military Park
Rick Martin [e-mail], Vicksburg Battlefield Guide Association

For more information the Licensed Battlefield Guide program

Vicksburg National Military Park
Licensed Battlefield Guide
2022 Training Seminars

Date: Tuesday March 1-Welcome & Orientation

• Welcome from Supt. & Staff

• The setting: Geography & Topography

• Settlement & Economy

Date: Tuesday March 8-Secession & War

• The Union Dissolved

• War in the West

Date: Tuesday March 15-Vicksburg is the Key

• Fortress City

• Farragut, Holly Springs, & Chickasaw Bayou

Date: Tuesday March 22-A Gentlemen’s Agreement

• The Combined Forces

• Grant in Mississippi

Date: Tuesday March 29-Grant Chases the Rabbit

• Objective: Vicksburg

• The Gibraltar of the Confederacy

Date: Tuesday April 4-The Rabbit is Caught

• A Negotiated Surrender

• Occupation & Reconstruction

Date: Saturday April 9-Campaign Tour
Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, and Big Black River Bridge

Date: Tuesday April 12-Vicksburg National Military Park Today

• The Art of Commemoration

• Natural and Cultural Resources

Date: Saturday April 16-Vicksburg National Military Park Tour

• Park Tour

• Artillery & Small Arms

• USS Cairo

About Vicksburg National Military Park: Vicksburg National Military Park preserves and tells the story of the Civil War Campaign for Vicksburg. This turning-point in American History helped determine the outcome of the Civil War and its impacts continue to transcend our culture today. For more information visit www.nps.gov/vick

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.