National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Vicksburg National Military ParkColonel Manning Force
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Vicksburg National Military Park
Things To Do
 

The VISITOR CENTER offers general and historical information services, orientation film, exhibits on the various topics of the Civil War period, bookstore, pay telephone, rest room facilities and regional (city/county) information.

The USS CAIRO MUSEUM AND GUNBOAT offers general and historical information services, exhibits on naval operations of the Civil War, bookstore, pay telephone, restroom facilities and picnic area. Artifacts on display are a time capsule of life aboard a ironclad gunboat. Sailors' personal possessions, cookware, medical supplies, and weaponry are featured. A 6 minute video explains the sinking, discovery and salvage operations.

Three EXTERNAL UNITS include the riverfront batteries at Navy Circle, South Fort and Louisiana Circle. Across the Mississippi River is the last remaining section of GRANT'S CANAL, where Union forces attempted to bypass Vicksburg by digging a channel through Desoto Point. Facilities include an historic state highway marker, bronze tablet and wayside exhibits on Williams Canal, Grant's Canal and Black Troops at Milliken's Bend.

A sixteen mile TOUR ROAD parallels Union and Confederate siege lines, with three interconnecting roadways, fifteen TOUR STOPS, waysite markers and exhibits, short SPUR TRAILS to points of interest, one primitive TWELVE MILE SCOUT COMPASS TRAIL, and 7 and 14 mile HIKES that follow the park tour road.

 
 From the Union siege lines looking toward the Confederate position at Great Redoubt
145th Anniversary Talk Schedule
May 17-26
more...
Did You Know?  

Did You Know?
President Abraham Lincoln, in speaking of Vicksburg's importance, is reputed to have stated early during the Civil War, "See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key, the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."

Last Updated: August 22, 2007 at 11:07 EST