Vicksburg Post
Park land transfer clears Senate
A Vicksburg National Military Park land transfer for a planned visitor center now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Staff Report
Legislation allowing the transfer of more than seven acres of Vicksburg National Military Park property to the state of Mississippi for a planned $40 million visitor center is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk.
The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act on Tuesday. The House previously approved the legislation.
The measure directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to transfer two parcels totaling about 7.43 acres from the National Park Service to the state. The transfer will allow Mississippi to move forward with plans for a new interpretive and visitor center and a connector road providing access from the park.
The state has committed $40 million toward the project, which is being developed in conjunction with Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign.
“This is a monumental step for Vicksburg National Military Park and the State of Mississippi,” U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said. “The land transfer facilitated by this legislation gives the state the ability to tell the complete story of the Siege of Vicksburg for generations to come.”
Hyde-Smith and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker sponsored the Senate companion legislation.
“Every generation has a solemn responsibility to preserve our nation’s history for the ones that follow,” Wicker said. “This legislation will support Mississippi’s efforts to keep the story of Vicksburg alive and accessible for students, families, and visitors.”
Bess Averett, executive director of Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, said the transfer will allow the organization to move forward with plans for the Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center.
“Our plans for a new Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center will tell the full story of this pivotal part of our nation’s history,” Averett said. “We are so thankful to our whole Congressional delegation for securing this land transfer bill and allowing us to move forward with our plans.”
Mississippi Department of Archives and History Director Barry White called the transfer another step toward the public-private partnership behind the project.
“This transfer from the federal government to the state is just one more step toward the public/private partnership that will elevate the Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center,” White said.
Once transferred to the state, the property would no longer be part of Vicksburg National Military Park.
Congress established the park in 1899 to preserve sites associated with the Vicksburg campaign and siege during the Civil War. The National Park Service has managed the park since 1933.