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Contact: Alicea Powell, 417-732-2662 ext. 266
REPUBLIC, MO— Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield invites the public to the 20th Annual Memorial Luminary Tour on Friday, November 15, 2024, starting at 5:30 p.m. This free event commemorates the 2,539 casualties suffered at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861.
Luminaries representing those who died, were injured, or went missing during the battle will be placed on the battlefield at three locations of concentrated casualties. Visitors will join a vehicle caravan led by park staff to the three stops in the battlefield. At each stop, participants may view the luminaries and listen to the stories of soldiers who experienced the tragedy of war that fateful day in August.
The event is free, but reservations and a personal vehicle are required for the tour. Tours are scheduled every 20 minutes from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Each tour will last one hour and twenty minutes. Reservations can be made starting Friday November 8th, at 10:00 a.m. over the phone at 417-732-2662, or in person at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center during operating hours. Reservations will not be held via voicemail.
The tour involves walking short distances, less than 50 yards, on uneven terrain lit by lanterns. For information, or accommodation requests related to accessibility please call the visitor center.
In the event of inclement weather including rain, high winds, or freezing temperatures, the program will be cancelled. For program updates, please call the visitor center at 417-732-2662 or check the park website at www.nps.gov/wicr or the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Facebook page.
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Administered by the National Park Service, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first major battle of the Civil War in the West. The Confederate victory on August 10, 1861, focused greater national attention on the war in Missouri, leading to greater federal military action. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located 10 miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri at the intersection of Highway ZZ and Farm Road 182.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ 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.
Last updated: November 7, 2024