WASHINGTON – This spring, Missouri volunteers will aid in the maintenance and restoration of numerous sites as part of Park Day, the Civil War Trust’s annual hands-on preservation event. On April 7, 2018, thousands of volunteers across the country will participate as Park Day celebrates its largest year ever with over 160 historic sites in 32 states and the District of Columbia.
Volunteers interested in participating in Park Day are encouraged to contact the individual sites listed below. Activities are chiefly outdoor jobs that range from raking leaves and collecting trash to painting signs and gardening. Volunteers will receive T-shirts, and some sites will provide lunch or refreshments. A local historian may also be on hand to detail the park’s significance.
Starting times vary at each site. Missouri volunteers may sign up at the following locations:
Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Lexington, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Lindsay Burks at Battle.of.Lexington.State.Historic.Site@dnr.mo.gov
Volunteers will assist with removing debris, painting, and trash removal. A tour of the Anderson House will be available after cleanup. Water and snacks will be provided.
Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site, Pilot Knob, 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Brick Autry at brick.autry@dnr.mo.gov
In addition to volunteering at the site, attendees can participate in the site’s Civil War reenactors’ spring drill and living history activities. Water and snacks will be provided.
Hickory County Museum/John Siddle Williams House, Hermitage, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Roger Boyd at rboyd590@gmail.com
Staff will need help with painting, landscaping, trash removal, interior cleaning, and log cabin outbuilding repair. Hot dogs, chips, tea and coffee will be provided, and on-going historical tours will be available. (Note: This Park Day site is holding its event on Saturday, April 21, 2018.)
Lone Jack Civil War Battlefield and Cemetery, Lone Jack, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Alinda Miller at president@historiclonejack.org
Volunteers will be cleaning the cemetery, raking leaves, landscaping, and picking up sticks. Volunteers can also participate in a tour of the Cave Hotel and a short presentation on the battle. A meal will be provided.
Missouri Civil War Museum, St. Louis, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Mark Trout at mtrout@mcwm.org
Help will be needed planting, landscaping, and cleaning throughout the museum grounds. Water and snacks will be provided, and there will also be a brief presentation on the history of Jefferson Barracks and the story of the museum.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Republic, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Billie Aschwege at billie_aschwege@nps.gov
Staff will need help landscaping, cleaning up the stream, and picking up debris near the picnic area and cemeteries. Water will be provided.
The Civil War Trust is a national nonprofit land preservation organization devoted to the protection of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. It saves the battlefields of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and educates the public about their importance in forging the nation we are today. To date, the Trust has preserved over 48,000 acres of battlefield land in 24 states, including 360 acres in Missouri. Learn more at Civilwar.org.
