About the Friends
Established in 2008, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign is the official non-profit partner for Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP). Friends has garnered a growing reputation as a small, but mighty friends group that creates a tangible impact on the visitor experience at VNMP and rallies support when needed most. A growing number of motivated and passionate donors and volunteers work together to enhance the hallowed grounds of the Vicksburg Campaign.
Replacement of 22 cast-iron interpretive tablets removed from VNMP and melted down in 1942 during World War II as part of the scrap metal drive to support the war effort.
Restoration of 90 acres of strategically chosen vistas on the battlefield to help the visitor better understand the 1863 wartime appearance. The non-historic woodlands and groundcover were cleared from earthern works and artillery positions associated with the city approaches of Old Jackson Road, Battery DeGolyer and Third Louisiana Redan; Railroad Redoubt and Fort Garrott; and Graveyard Road.
Advocated for the successful passage of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act authorizing the core battlefields of Port Gibson, Champion Hill and Raymond to be added to VNMP.
Creation of a 4th grade interactive “soldier for a day” tour for local students.
Expansion of the Junior Ranger Summer Camps and addition of Ranger-In-Training Camps that encourage students to pursue careers with the National Park Service.
Partnered with the American Battlefield Trust to create the Vicksburg Battle App, a free, GPS-enabled multimedia tour of the Vicksburg Campaign and created the Vicksburg Animated Map.
Expanded the volunteer program to include residency volunteers and more than doubling park volunteer hours in each of the last 5 years.
Preservation of seven historic acres at the Anshe Chesed Cemetery and worked with the American Battlefield Trust to preserve 11 acres at Railroad Redoubt.
Facilitate monument repair, including the complete restoration of the Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi and Rhode Island Memorials.
Helped facilitate the first 850 acres of land being donated by the State of Mississippi to VNMP at Champion Hill and Port Gibson in 2019.
Advocated for the successful allocation of $5.9 million from Congress in 2018 to address land erosion and damage on the historic Railroad Redoubt.
Provide special programming, including the popular Symphony at Sunset with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, a free outdoor concert on the battlefield Memorial Day Weekend.
Kept VNMP open with basic operations during the nation’s longest government shutdown through donations and volunteer efforts. When VNMP was most vulnerable to vandalism and relic hunting, Friends was able to protect the park and ensure visitors still had access to the tour road, the visitor center, the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat and Museum, and restrooms.
We help preserve the tangible reminders of bravery and perseverance of soldiers, sailors and citizens involved in the struggle for Vicksburg.
President Abraham Lincoln referred to this campaign as the “key” to victory in the Civil War. Our goal is for visitors to the region to experience and understand the impact of the people and events that comprised the most strategic and decisive campaign on the Civil War.
Our 501(c)3 non-profit organization is the official partner organization for VNMP. All tax deductible donations work to help us enhance the battlefield and promote public appreciation for the history it symbolizes. While the park’s basic operations are funded by the National Park Service, many features and programs that visitors enjoy most are made possible through private funds from generous donors like you, including the important work on maintaining one of the nation’s largest collections of sculptures, monuments, markers, and tablets. Friends of VNMP is committed to the park and the public it is designed to serve.
Our Impact
Preservation
We were awarded our first American Battlefield Protection Program land grant to save an important tract of land near the South Loop of Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP). The grant, paired with the generosity of donors, enabled this high-risk battlefield land to be saved from commercial development and ensure its preservation for future generations for education, research, and interpretation. Preservation of seven historic acres at the Anshe Chesed Cemetery and worked with the American Battlefield Trust to preserve 11 acres at Railroad Redoubt.
Education
Created a 4th grade interactive “soldier for a day” tour for local students. We expanded the Junior Ranger Summer Camps and added our Ranger-In-Training Camps that encourage students to pursue careers with the National Park Service. Partnered with the American Battlefield Trust to create the Vicksburg Battle App, a free, GPS-enabled multimedia tour of the Vicksburg Campaign and created the Vicksburg Animated Map.
Restoration
Replacement of 22 cast-iron interpretive tablets removed from VNMP and melted down in 1942 during World War II as part of the scrap metal drive to support the war effort. The tablets are now back home where they belong after more than 70 years. Facilitated monument repair, including the complete restoration of the Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas and Rhode Island Memorials. Restoration of 90 acres of strategically chosen vistas on the battlefield to help the visitor better understand the 1863 wartime appearance.
Advocacy
Due to severe storms and flash flooding, several park roads and the Vicksburg National Cemetery sustained severe damage. Our aggressive advocacy ensured the right leaders toured the damage quickly and $43 million has been appropriated for the extensive repair work. We advocated for the successful passage of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act authorizing the core battlefields of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, and Raymond be added to VNMP. Also, the Friends advocated for the successful allocation of $5.9 million from Congress in 2018 to address erosion & damage on the historic Railroad Redoubt.
VOLUNTEERS
Vicksburg National Military Park was awarded the prestigious National George and Helen Hartzog Award for our 2019 Outstanding Volunteer Program. Expanded the volunteer program to include residency volunteers and more than doubling park volunteer hours in each of the last 5 years.
Capital Projects
We were able to match private donations with fund sources to begin work on our first access and interpretation project at the newly acquired land at Champion Hill. The fully funded $550,000 project will create paved pull-offs and parking lots, orientation kiosks, interpretive panels, and an enhanced trail system near the historic Crossroads. Soon, visitors will be able to access this critical battlefield that determined our nation’s future.
We can’t do it without a little help from our Friends!
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to support the important work of Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign.
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