Letter to the Editor: The proposed new Interpretative Center Meeting Raised More Questions Than It Answered

VICKSBURG, Miss. –  By Bernadette Cahill – The public meeting held at the Vicksburg National Military Park by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and Friends of the VNMP on November 20 was to communicate to the public information about the proposed new interpretative center for the Park.

Though well-attended, the problem was that, while the presentations and discussions gave information and dealt with some questions, the exercise raised more questions than it answered. The questions can be sorted into two main categories.

The first is the prioritization of the needs of the Park itself, which essentially comes down the grounds and the Cairo – both equally important. Thankfully, nearly five years after the disastrous landslides at the north end, an appropriation was announced recently for repair and restoration there. Work currently progresses on the Cairo, which is also to be welcomed, but its restoration and preservation are proceeding at a dangerously slow pace for such a unique artifact.

These priorities require adequate staffing, both by Park Rangers and maintenance workers – all of which require adequate financing; not the abysmally laughable budget of $3.9 million currently allowed (compared with $9 million for Gettysburg). The question arises, therefore, should money and energy go the preservation of the priceless history the Park and Cairo represent, rather than on an impressive new multi-million dollar building?

The second set of questions arises from the building itself. At the November meeting it was said that the inspiration for this project is the visitor center at Gettysburg. But, except for clamoring for equality in financing, why should Vicksburg copy Gettysburg? The two events were entirely different and while Gettysburg historians from 1863 have deliberately played up its importance, Vicksburg has constantly been played down, if not completely ignored. Yet Vicksburg’s fortifications, underplayed in the Park, are stunning and their importance cannot be understated. If they had not existed, Vicksburg could easily have been reduced to rubble with Sherman’s arrival in May, 1863 and who knows what other tragedies would have befallen the hapless citizens stuck in the city?

The respective population catchment areas of Vicksburg and Gettysburg are radically different, so the means of attracting visitors can differ. A building might suit Gettysburg, but clear and well-directed communication and marketing could provide for Vicksburg increases in visitor numbers for a fraction of the cost of a building. It is amazing how many visitors arrive in town and have no idea of the Siege, never mind the Park. Appropriate well-focused public relations and marketing should direct itself to positioning in national consciousness Vicksburg and the 47-day siege as the Key to the Civil War and making it a must-see destination.

The Communication Plan should include education about Vicksburg’s key role in the Civil War and letting the public know in a timely manner about what is happening at the Park and what events are coming up. Interpretation further than the facts is not a necessity.

None of these points answer the questions that the proposed building raises. That bigger quarters would be necessary for increased staff and visitor numbers is clear. But does the building itself have to be so gargantuan and so out-of-keeping with a traditional Southern town?

Why is it to be in the proposed location, which like the I-20, could draw tourists away from visiting downtown and other attractions? What will its impact be on small businesses, especially Civil War-oriented destinations, like the Old Court House Museum and the Civil War Museum?

If built, what would its carbon footprint be, its heating/cooling costs, its heating and cooling systems? What will the acoustics be like of a space that will reduce people to the size of mice and how will those challenges be addressed?

Further, the Vicksburg campaign is ready-made for decentralizing the 1862-1863 story. By following the campaign route and battles, the stage is already set for smaller centers like Grand Gulf, Port Hudson, Raymond, Jackson, Bolton, Clinton, Champion Hill and Edwards to benefit economically from increased tourism, rather than concentrating it in one place. Well-planned communications would also be necessary for this scenario.

The campaign is also ready-made for encouraging Louisiana to work with this project, specifically to relate the role of [African American] troops in the Civil War at Port Hudson and Milliken’s Bend where their involvement in battle first occurred, leading to their acceptance in the Union Army.

Finally, and not least, is the question about the projected annual maintenance and staffing costs once this proposed visitor center is built and opened, and the source of funding.

Questions like these beg to be answered now so that this City and its citizens know in detail what is planned and its true costs.

The Vicksburg Daily News is committed to telling the whole story regardless of who is involved or who they know. Sometimes that makes people angry, especially those who feel they are above the news.

Send your point of view to info@vicksburgnews.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.