The Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation launched a campaign to raise $300,000 toward an estimated $4.5 million renovation of the park’s Visitor Center, and the lead donor is Bass Pro Shops with a gift of $25,000.

The renovation will add 1,873 square feet of exhibit space, providing a total of 3,396 square feet for the park’s collection of artifacts, and upgrade the Visitor Center’s heating and air conditioning systems to protect fragile artifacts and provide a positive experience for the more than 200,000 annual visitors. Updates will also provide for interactive displays and virtual displays, allowing fragile artifacts and other items in storage to be viewed in 3D.   

Project funding is a partnership of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The local foundation will seek funds for the exhibit space expansion through grants and individual and business contributions.  

Renovation plans include:

  • More curatorial space to provide adequate and updated compact storage for the collection’s artifacts, many of which are irreplaceable.
  • Restrooms relocated for better visitor access and to meet ADA requirements.
  • HVAC with updated energy-efficient systems to protect the more than 8,500 artifacts and create a comfortable visitor atmosphere.

Current floor plan.

 

Planned floor plan.