THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Vicksburg National Military Park has restored public access to Grant Circle and a section of Union Avenue after completing an extensive, multi-year rehabilitation project to repair catastrophic damage caused by heavy rainfall in early 2020. With the project’s completion, the northern section of the park is once again accessible to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service today announced the selection of Treacy Stone as the new superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park. Stone will begin his new role in June.
Official NPS source
On March 2, the National Park Service will close a short section of the Tour Road near the Illinois Memorial that provides access to Tour Stops 2 (Shirley House) and 3 (Third Louisiana Redan). This section will remain closed for the duration of the Illinois Memorial Restoration. The project is expected to be completed by September 2026.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service will conduct prescribed fires to manage vegetation in select areas of Vicksburg National Military Park on Sunday, February 22 and Monday, February 23, depending on weather. Areas for prescribed fires will include large grassy areas in the South Loop, near the Illinois Memorial and Shirley House, the western slope of Fort Hill, along Graveyard Road and at Thayer’s Approach. The area of prescribed burns will include approximately 231 acres.
Official NPS source
On September 2, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin comprehensive restoration work on the Illinois Memorial. The memorial itself will be closed during the restoration starting on September 2. The parking area will be partially closed, however there will still be parking spaces open to allow access to the Shirley House. The Tour Road will remain open. The contractors have up to one year to complete the project.
Official NPS source
On March 3, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin repair work on Grant Circle and a section of Union Ave in the northern portion of the park. Following heavy rainfall in early 2020, these roads suffered catastrophic failures necessitating closure to ensure visitor safety. These roads have been closed since that time.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) will be conducting prescribed fires to manage vegetation in select areas of Vicksburg National Military Park on February 5 and 6, 2005, weather dependent. Areas for prescribed fires will include large grassy areas in the South Loop, near the Illinois Memorial and Shirley House, the western slope of Fort Hill, along Graveyard Road, and at Thayer’s Approach. The area of prescribed burns will include approximately 231 acres.
Official NPS sourceOn October 2, Vicksburg National Military Park will implement adjustments to the days of operation for the main Visitor Center and the USS Cairo Museum. These changes will adjust days of operation for the Visitor Center to Wednesday-Sunday and increase access to the USS Cairo Museum to seven days a week.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign will be hosting events at Vicksburg National Military Park in observance of Memorial Day.
Official NPS source
Vicksburg National Military Park to Host an Immersive Encampment of the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry.
Official NPS sourceJoin a ranger to walk the assaults of May 22nd at Railroad Redoubt and 2nd Texas Lunette.
Official NPS source
On Monday April 8, 2024, a partial solar eclipse with be visible in Vicksburg with an approximate 92% occlusion of the sun. Join park rangers and staff from the library outside the Visitor Center to view this amazing natural event and explore family friendly space-themed activities. Free solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided for those who participate in the program.
Official NPS source
On March 16, Vicksburg National Military Park will host a special program “Considerable Obstinacy”: The Origins of the 11th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent presented by Isaiah Tadlock.
Official NPS source
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 interested in becoming Licensed Battlefield Guides.
Official NPS source
On February 17, Vicksburg National Military Park will host a special remembrance ceremony “Say Their Name” for the African American soldiers killed at Ross Landing in Chicot County Arkansas on February 14, 1864. Recent scholarship has revealed their names and burial locations so that 160 years later we can honor their sacrifice in their fight for freedom.
Official NPS source
On Saturday, November 18, at 10:00am Vicksburg National Military Park will host a rededication ceremony for the Rhode Island Memorial.
Official NPS source
On November 4, Vicksburg National Military Park will host a special program “Blood Money: From the Freedman’s Bank to Liberty Bank, the Legacy of Vicksburg’s Black Banks” presented by Professor Shennette Garrett-Scott.
Official NPS sourceOn October 14, Vicksburg National Military Park will host a viewing event for a partial solar eclipse. On Saturday October 14, 2023, a partial solar eclipse with be visible in Vicksburg with an approximate 75% occlusion of the sun. Join park rangers outside the Visitor Center to view this amazing natural event.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 410,487 visitors to Vicksburg National Military Park in 2022 spent $27.1 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 403 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $36.5 million.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the selection of Carrie Mardorf as the new permanent superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi, effective Sept. 10.
Official NPS source
VICKSBURG, MS — On Friday, May 19, Saturday, May 20, and Monday, May 22, 2023, Vicksburg National Military Park and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign will be commemorating the 160th anniversary of the May 19th and 22nd 1863 Union assaults with a series of walking tours by Licensed Battlefield Guides on-site where these clashes occurred. Five walking tours at four locations will bring visitors across the hallowed landscape where Union and Confederate soldiers clashed for control of Vicksburg during the American Civil War.
Official NPS source
In mid-April, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a multi-year, multi-phase project to stabilize portions of Vicksburg National Cemetery in Vicksburg National Military Park to address grave disturbances and erosion caused by severe weather events in 2020 and 2021.
Official NPS sourceVicksburg National Military Park and Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign are kicking off the 160th Anniversary of the Vicksburg Campaign commemorative events with free engaging presentations conducted by local licensed battlefield guides about this historic park and city's importance in American history. All programs will be held on Saturdays throughout April at 4:00PM at the park’s Visitor Center at 3201 Clay St.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) will be conducting prescribed fires to manage vegetation in select areas of Vicksburg National Military Park from Thursday, January 26 to Saturday, January 28, 2023, weather dependent. Areas for prescribed fires will include large grassy areas in the South Loop, near the Illinois Memorial and Shirley House, the western slope of Fort Hill, and along Graveyard Road. The area prescribed burns will include approximately 113 acres.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) is implementing changes to mowing operations at Vicksburg National Military Park. Beginning in Spring 2022, the park will be managing mowing and vegetation more sustainably through a combination of prioritizing mowing locations based on schedules, implementing more controlled burns, and propagating pollinator native plant meadows.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service will be hosting events at Vicksburg National Military Park in observance of Memorial Day.
Official NPS source
On April 23, Vicksburg National Military Park will be conducting a major cleaning of headstones at Vicksburg National Cemetery. Volunteers are needed to help honor the final resting place of over 18,000 veterans.
Official NPS source