Subcommittee hears plan to transfer about 10 acres from Vicksburg National Military Park for new state‑partner visitor center

Bess Averett, executive director of the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, testified in favor of H.R. 4467, a boundary modification proposal that would convey approximately 10 acres from Vicksburg National Military Park to the state of Mississippi for a new state‑partner visitor center and related infrastructure.

Averett said the current 1960s visitor center is outdated and sits on core battlefield land; the project would replace it with a state‑partner facility intended to improve visitor orientation, immersive interpretation and long‑term economic benefits to the region. She described two narrow boundary changes: one to allow a connector road and pedestrian bridge to link the new center to the park tour road, and a second to transfer land underlying an existing Mississippi welcome center so the state will assume maintenance responsibilities.

Mike Caldwell for the Department of the Interior said the department supports the goals of enhancing visitor orientation and interpretation but asked the subcommittee and sponsor to use the most recent legislative maps (September 2024) and to clarify that any development on conveyed land be consistent with the park's interpretive mission. The state of Mississippi and private partners, including the Friends group, are leading funding for construction and have agreed to assume maintenance costs, the Friends group said.

Witnesses said the project is a public‑private partnership backed by the full Mississippi delegation and private philanthropy and argued it would increase visitation time and economic impact for local businesses. The subcommittee did not vote; the hearing record will remain open for technical follow‑up and mapping clarifications.