Rehabilitation of Pemberton’s Headquarters begins

On Jan. 31, Vicksburg National Military Park will begin rehabilitation work on Pemberton’s Headquarters in downtown Vicksburg, MS. Repairs are necessary to preserve this National Historic Landmark Structure. The building is currently closed to visitors and employees due to concern about its safety. The roof is 4,000 square ft of deteriorating slate, thought to have been installed in the 1850s, and is need of repair. The front porch is falling apart and is also in need of repair.

Pemberton’s Headquarters is a National Historic Landmark structure acquired by the National Park Service in 2003 for inclusion in Vicksburg National Military Park. In this building on July 3, 1863, Confederate General John Pemberton met with his subordinate officers and decided to surrender the city of Vicksburg to Union General Ulysses S. Grant.

Addressing the needed repairs of Pemberton’s Headquarters will result in improved preservation of this National Historic Landmark structure. Having a new roofing system installed to today’s roofing code will allow for a weathertight structure which will include a new slate roof, a stainless-steel coated metal roof, proper flashing at chimneys and walls, structural modifications throughout, and preservation repairs to wooden elements. The project will also document and dismantle all of the front porch (wooden structure & masonry base) down to grade and then reconstruct porch with salvaged material when possible. All woodwork (decking, railings, columns) will be repainted to match existing colors. Work is scheduled to be completed in October 2022.

To explore more details concerning the repairs including regular updates and images, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/vick/planyourvisit/pemberton-s-headquarters-rehabilitation.htm.