CWPT sponsors a hands-on preservation event at Brice’s Crossroads Saturday April 10

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, history buffs and preservationists of all ages will join forces to clean and restore Civil War-related battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. Volunteers are asked to help at Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield and Visitors Center in Baldwyn beginning at 9 a.m.

The nationwide effort – dubbed Park Day – is underwritten with a grant from History™, formerly The History Channel. Park Day is also recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a “Take Pride in America” event. Approximately 100 historic sites in 23 states are expected to participate in Park Day 2010.

“These are the hallowed fields where our ancestors gave their lives. We cannot allow them to fall into disrepair,” remarked noted Civil War Preservation Trust President Jim Lighthauser.

“Our Park day is always a fun experience for scouts and community. All are welcome and are asked to bring yard tools such as hoes, rakes, clippers and shovels,” said Edwina Carpenter, site curator. At 12 noon, volunteers will be treated to lunch .

Now in its fourteenth year, Park Day is an annual hands-on preservation event created by CWPT. Volunteers gather at designated Civil War sites to help with routine repairs and maintenance. Activities at Brice’s will range from hauling trash to cleaning signs and cemetery cleaning. In exchange for their hard work, participants receive T-shirts and can listen to local historians describe the significance of the site.

With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. Since 1987, the organization has helped save more than 29,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org. To learn more about Brice’s Crossroads Visitor’s Center and Battlefield, visit www.bricescrossroads.com.

To contact the visitor’s center, call 662-365-3969 or e-mail bcr@dixie-net.com.