Military Park needs help during government shutdown

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — In an email released Friday, Oct. 10, Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park is asking for help to keep the park open during the government shutdown. Executive Director Bess Mitchell Averett implores the community to help donate funds to keep the treasured park in operation.

The emails is as follows:

We need your help to keep Vicksburg National Military Park open during the government shutdown. 

Right now, our small nonprofit — Friends of VNMP — is fully funding the park’s daily operations to ensure that it remains open, protected, and thriving. This effort costs us $2,000 every single day, and we can’t do it without the leadership and generosity of our local business community. With the start of a second week, we cannot sustain this effort longer without your help.  

Your support today will help keep the park’s gates open, its grounds preserved, and our shared history alive. 

The park is more than a historic site — it’s part of Vicksburg’s identity and one of the greatest drivers of our local economy. Each visitor who walks these grounds supports our hotels, restaurants, and shops. The park draws tourists from across the country, creates jobs, and shines a national spotlight on our community. 

But this is also about protection. Without active staff and funding, the park’s monuments, landscapes, and artifacts are vulnerable to relic hunting and vandalism. Our funding ensures that Vicksburg’s most sacred spaces remain safe, protected, and accessible. 

As a local business leader, you understand how vital this park is — not only for our economy, but for the spirit and pride of Vicksburg itself. Your gift, no matter the size, makes a massive impact. Every dollar helps sustain operations, safeguard our history, and demonstrate the unity that defines this city. 

Approximately 16% of all jobs in Warren County are tied to tourism, and Vicksburg National Military Park remains the most visited attraction in both Vicksburg and the entire state of Mississippi. A closure now would have serious economic ripple effects across local hotels, restaurants, retailers, and museums. 

The latest National Park Service economic impact report revealed that VNMP generates $36.5 million annually in economic benefit for our community. That number is not abstract—it’s paychecks, tax revenue, and local business stability. 

Please stand with us today by making a contribution to keep Vicksburg National Military Park open and protected. Give Now >> 

Thank you for your leadership, your generosity, and your commitment to this community we all call home. Together, we can ensure that Vicksburg remains open, vibrant, and proud. 

With heartfelt appreciation, 

Bess Mitchell Averett 

Executive Director 

Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign