Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will celebrate 163 years since the battle with a ceremony

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek from August 10-11, 2024. Visitors can hear stories from soldiers and civilians about the battle and share their own stories of how they learned and connected to the battlefield over the years.

Commemorative activities will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, with an outdoor ceremony on the lawn of the visitor center, according to a press release. Speakers will include Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Superintendent Sarah Cunningham, Foundation Executive Director Melissa Adler, Colonel Clay of the 16th Infantry Regiment Association and keynote speaker Todd Wilkinson, project manager for the James River Basin Partnership. Wilkinson holds a master’s degree in history from Missouri State University and has worked and volunteered at various national park sites.

Recent donors are also recognized for their contributions to saving stories through charitable donations to the battlefield museum collections and the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The ceremony concludes with the presentation of a commemorative wreath and an infantry salute.

At the end of the ceremony, visitors are invited to enjoy refreshments provided by the Wilson’s Creek Foundation. The visitor center will host temporary exhibits to learn more about the people who were there during the battle, and how the park preserves stories through acquisitions of museum collections.

Throughout the afternoon, you can stop at various points along the tour route to learn more about the battle from park rangers, volunteers and the Holmes Brigade living history group.

Admission to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is free. For more information or to request program changes, call the Visitor Center at (417) 732-2662. In case of inclement weather, call the park to ensure that events are not changed or canceled.

More: As ideas about the Civil War change across the country, here’s how Wilson’s Creek stays relevant

About Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, managed by the National Park Service, preserves the site of the first major Civil War battle in the West. The Confederate victory on August 10, 1861, brought increased national attention to the war in Missouri, leading to increased federal military action. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located 10 miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri, at the intersection of Highway ZZ and Farm Road 182.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Commemorates 163 Years