Two community engagement sessions will be held Wednesday, Nov. 20, to introduce the public to a new interpretive center being planned in conjunction with the Vicksburg National Military Park.

The project is a collaboration of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign (FOV), and the National Park Service at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

“From these sessions, the public will have opportunities to learn about the partnership project, our goals, and engage with us as we move forward with the development of the new center,” said Megan Bankston, Vicksburg project manager at MDAH.

By preserving and sharing the rich stories of the Vicksburg Campaign, the new interpretive center will connect visitors with a pivotal chapter in American history, exploring its legacy and its impact on the America we know today.

Feedback and comments are welcome at both public sessions.

• Nov. 20, at noon. Katie Blount, director of MDAH, will present “MDAH Project Updates” as part of the “History Is Lunch” series in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. The program will also stream live on the MDAH Facebook page and YouTube channel. Vicksburg project representatives from architecture firm Perkins&Will and exhibit design firm Gallagher & Associates will provide special project overviews.
• Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. The session will be held in the orientation theater at the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center in Vicksburg. Vicksburg project representatives from architecture firm Perkins&Will and exhibit design firm Gallagher & Associates will provide project overviews.

The new interpretive center in Vicksburg has a projected 2028 opening.

About Mississippi Department of Archives and History: 
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History was founded in 1902 to collect, preserve, and provide access to the archival resources of the state. MDAH’s commitment to preservation continues today through the work of the department’s five divisions – Administration, Archives and Records Services, Historic Preservation, Programs and Communication, and Museum. The Museum Division currently oversees eleven sites and projects throughout the state.

About Vicksburg National Military Park:  
Established on February 21, 1899, under the Department of War, Vicksburg National Military Park (VICK) was created “to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Vicksburg, and to preserve the history of the battles and operations of the siege and defense of the grounds where they were fought….” Since then, VICK has subsequently expanded under separate laws and added multiple units over the past 30 years. Today, the Park is the most visited cultural attraction in the State of Mississippi connecting approximately 350,000 annual visitors to this important piece of our nation’s history.

About Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign: 
Established in 2008, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign (FOV) is a non-profit organization acting as the official philanthropic partner for the Vicksburg National Military Park. FOV accepts donations and fundraises to promote public appreciation for the Park’s history and to aid the Park with visitor programs and preservation projects.