History draws tourists to city for Labor Day
Published 11:23 am Tuesday, September 8, 2015
- MEMEMTOES: Visitors check out the of the Old Court House Museum souvenirs, Sunday.
Vicksburg’s history was a boost for tourism during the Labor Day Weekend with visitors from across the U.S. making their way to the River City.
“We had more than a 100 visitors that came through the museum on Saturday,” staff member of the Old Court House Museum Jordan Rushing said.
He said he was expecting an even larger turn out on Monday.
“Holidays are always busy at the Old Court House with families trying to find something to do with their children when school is out,” he said.
Rushing added that not only had the Labor Day weekend been busy at the Old Court House Museum, but also so far this year activity has been on the rise.
“This year has been fantastic,” Rushing said, attributing their busyness to the riverboats.
“They have been coming to town and bringing tourist up to the museum,” Rushing said.
Jim and Mary Shepherd from Ruston, La. were making their way through the Old Court House Museum, on Sunday.
“We just decided to get in our motor home and tour the park and eat at some of the restaurants and tour the museums,” Jim Shepherd said.
“The history of Vicksburg is really fabulous,” Mary Shepherd said.
Kristen Wilson, a visitor from Phoenix Ariz. said she had visited the Old Court House Museum prior to Sunday’s visit, but she and her husband, who were Civil War historians wanted to return.
“I’ve been before and came back because I love it so much. Its history is the finest period information I’ve seen in my life,” Wilson said.
The VNMP was also seeing its fair share of out-of-towners during the holiday weekend.
Eryn Ford and her family had driven over from Jackson for a day-trip.
“This is something fun and it’s history,” she said.
Doug and Kim Tyler had come from Little Rock Ark. to visit the VNMP.
“We have never been here before and wanted to visit for the history and heritage,” Doug Tyler said.
Heading north from New Orleans, Virginians David and Carol Rickerson had also stopped to visit the VNMP.
“We are on a vacation where ever the wind takes us,” David Rickerson said, “and just had to stop in Vicksburg.”