Battlefield Guides seeking new members

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Licensed Battlefield Guides of Vicksburg hoping to recruit new members.

The group will be sponsoring a training for those who have a love of history and and are interested in joining an elite corps of local historians interpreting the campaign and siege of Vicksburg which occurred during the Civil War.

An informational meeting will be held at the headquarters of the Friends of Vicksburg, Old Anche Chesed Temple, located at 2414 Grove Street, Vicksburg. The event is Saturday, March 28, beginning at 6 p.m.

The LBGV, and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign are partnering to provide training for individuals wishing to become certified as Licensed Battlefield Guides. Licensed Battlefield Guides are not Federal or park employees, however are licensed through the park under special Congressional legislation to provide guided historic tours in the park. Fees received by the Guides for these tours are set by the LBGV and vary depending upon the size of the tour group and duration of the tour.  

To become Licensed Battlefield Guides, applicants must pass a thorough written examination on the Civil War and, in particular, the campaigns and Siege of Vicksburg. Those that pass the written exam must also pass an oral exam, where they bring a LBGV out on an actual tour of the park, to qualify for their licensure. Upon completion of the written exam, additional training and mentoring will be provide on how to develop and conduct tours to prepare for the oral exam.

An informational meeting will be held on Saturday March 28 at 6pm at the Friends of Vicksburg HQ, followed by series of seminars to be presented over the next four weeks, starting Tuesday, April 7, 2026 to help prepare candidates for the exams. The Tuesday, Thursday seminars will be open to the public and free of charge.  The written test will be administered on the first two Saturdays following the conclusion of the seminars. Potential candidates are not required to attend the seminars; however they are intended to help potential candidates study for the exams. Additional study materials including a training manual and a reading list will be provided. Exams will be scheduled with candidates.

Seminars:  Tuesdays and Thursdays April 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
                                                           

Times: Tuesdays 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
                

Location:  2414 Grove Street, Vicksburg MS. 

For more information contact:

Morgan Gates, Education Coordinator, principaltours@yahoo.com , Licensed Battlefield Guides of Vicksburg
Rick Martin  rpmcol@yahoo.com,  Licensed Battlefield Guides of Vicksburg

For more information the Licensed Battlefield Guide program visit https://www.nps.gov/vick/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm