VCVB pushing piece of Vicksburg history for gifts|[12/18/06]

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 18, 2006

A slice of Vicksburg’s history might be a good gift this Christmas, Pat Millett of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau believes.

So, with prices starting at $35, gift certificates for tours of the Vicksburg National Military Park are being offered – complete with licensed guides offering narrations and answering questions.

&#8220There are so many people who have never had a guided tour through the park,” she said. &#8220I think it’s sad that we take things so for granted around here.”

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

The tourism agency has paired with the Vicksburg National Military Park to offer a Golden Age pass, which includes a 2 1/2-hour tour of the battlefield. If more time is requested, the price is $17.50 for each additional hour.

Letting people know about the guided tours is the beginning of an ongoing effort to &#8220pitch Vicksburg to locals,” Millett said.

&#8220Selling Vicksburg to Vicksburg is real important to me,” Millett said. &#8220I want to engender a pride that will be contagious.”

Millett, a Vicksburg native, returned to her hometown a year ago after being away for 44 years. After taking the job at the VCVB, she was given her first guided tour of the military park by Pat Strange, who handles group tour sales for the VCVB.

&#8220It blew me away,” Millett said. &#8220It made me really, really appreciate the park.”

The Vicksburg National Military Park, created in 1899, preserves the site of the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, which was waged in 1862 and 1863. The enabling legislation called for the restoration of the forts and lines of fortifications, to mark the lines of battle and other points of interest with tablets, and permit any state that had troops engaged in the campaign, siege or defense of the City of Vicksburg to erect monuments in honor of its troops. The park has 1,800 acres and has 1,324 monuments, markers, tablets and plaques.

Vicksburg and Gettysburg are the only two parks with the guide-licensing program. To obtain certification, guides must pass a written exam and take a park historian on a tour, explaining what happened where and how – the stories of the individuals who struggled in one of the most decisive confrontations of the Civil War.

David Maggio, president of the tour guide association, said having Vicksburg residents learn more is a move to increase tourism overall.

&#8220We find that so many people who live here in Vicksburg haven’t been to the park – not more than maybe just a ride through,” he said. &#8220They don’t really know what everything is. The more people in Vicksburg know about the city, they can inform the tourists.”

Guides will travel in their guests’ vehicles through the park. Maggio said an 18-minute film, giving an overview, may be a preliminary.