Wilson's Creek National Battlefield will commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek from Aug. 10-11, 2024, with opportunities for visitors to explore accounts from soldiers and civilians from the battle and share their own stories of learning and connecting to the battlefield throughout the years.
Commemorative activities start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, with an outdoor ceremony on the Visitor Center lawn, a news release said. Speakers include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Superintendent Sarah Cunningham, Foundation Executive Director Melissa Adler, Colonel Clay of the 16th Infantry Regiment Association, and keynote speaker Todd Wilkinson, project manager for the James River Basin Partnership. Wilkinson holds a master's degree in history from Missouri State University and has worked and volunteered at various National Park sites.
Recent donors will also be recognized for their contributions to helping save stories through charitable donations to the battlefield's museum collections and the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The ceremony will conclude with the presentation of a memorial wreath and an infantry salute.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, visitors are invited to enjoy refreshments provided by the Wilson's Creek Foundation. The visitor center will host temporary exhibits to learn about the people who were there during the battle, and how the park is preserving stories through museum collection acquisitions.
Throughout the afternoon, make your way to various stops throughout the tour road to learn from rangers, volunteers, and the Holmes Brigade living history group about the battle.
Entrance to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is free. For more information or to request program accommodations, please call the visitor center at (417) 732-2662. In the event of inclement weather, call the park to make sure events are not altered or canceled.
More: As ideas about the Civil War change nationwide, here's how Wilson's Creek stays relevant
About Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
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 Aug. 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.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield will mark 163 years since battle with ceremony
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