By Terry Rensel on August 9, 2025
The Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign recently announced a $ 2.8-million gift to restore the battlefield.
The gift, from preservationist, and founding board member John Nau III, will be matched by a $2.5-million grant from the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge program for restoration work on the Vicksburg battlefield.
The focus of the project will be the restoration of the Illinois Memorial, the most visited monument in the park, as well as the removal of a post-war building that was built on the battlefield.
“Standing on restored battlefield ground gives visitors a chance to truly understand the story of Vicksburg— not just read about it, but feel it,” said Bess Averett, executive director of the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park. “Thanks to the generosity of our donor, John Nau III, and the partnership of the National Park Service, we are reclaiming this hallowed ground and restoring one of the most significant monuments in the country."
The structure that is being removed was once a visitor center, as well as having served as staff housing. Over a century of exposure to the weather has led to extensive deterioration of the Illinois Monument. Work is expected to take a year, and the monument will be closed to the public while the work is completed. The demolition work on the post-war building has already begun.
To learn more about this and all the work that the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign, click here.