This spring, Tennessee 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 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. Tennessee volunteers may sign up at the following locations:
Britton Lane Battlefield, Medon, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Jim Weaver at jnweaver@bellsouth.net
Volunteers will help remove small branches from the site, build and repair fences, and clear brush. The site will also offer a brief overview of the battle. Water will be provided.
Carter House, Franklin, 9:45 a.m.
Contact: Jayde Jacobs at jayde@boft.org
Help is needed to remove tree limbs and put wood into chipping bags. Water and snacks will be provided. Volunteers will also be offered a free house tour. (Note: This Park Day event is on Friday, April 6, 2018.)
Fort Dickerson, Knoxville, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Eric Wayland at ericwayland@gmail.com
Staff will need help removing trash, as well as with general trail maintenance. Water and snacks provided.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Dover, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Deborah Austin at Deborah_Austin@nps.gov
Volunteers will help remove trash and wash interpretive park signs. Participants can also join park rangers for an informational session about the historic 1862 15-acre fort and river batteries. Water and snacks will be provided.
Fort Germantown Park, Germantown, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Gary Douglas at gbdouglas@comcast.net
Help is needed to clear brush and remove trash. Water will be provided.
Fort Pillow State Historic Park, Henning, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Tyson Weller at Tyson.weller@tn.gov
Staff will need help installing interpretative signs, removing trash from parking areas, and maintaining trails. The site will also offer a presentation on the history of the park. A meal will be provided.
Johnsonville State Historic Park, New Johnsonville, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Noah Sinz at noah.sinz@tn.go
Volunteers will help remove trash and maintain trails. The site will also offer an interpretive discussion of the Civil War history of the work area. Water will be provided.
Mabry-Hazen House, Knoxville, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Patrick Hollis at director@mabryhazen.com
Help is needed weeding beds, planting, gardening, and mulching. Water and snacks will be provided.
Parkers Crossroads Battlefield, Wildersville, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Deborah Teague at deborahteaguetn@yahoo.com
Staff will need help picking up litter, cleaning interpretive signs, planting, removing trash, and maintaining trails. Water and snacks will be provided.
Shiloh National Military Park, Shiloh, 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Chris Mekow at chris_mekow@nps.gov
Volunteers will help erect period split rail fencing on historic 1862-era sites. Water will be provided. (Note: This Park Day site is holding its event on Saturday, March 31, 2018.)
Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Jim Lewis at jim_b_lewis@nps.gov
Help is needed clearing brush, planting, and removing trash. A meal will be provided, as well as a walking tour of Fortress Rosecrans. (Note: This Park Day site is holding its event on Saturday, April 14, 2018.)
The Lotz House Civil War Museum, Franklin, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Laura Westbrook at laura@lotzhouse.com
Volunteers will assist with painting. 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 3,491 acres in Tennessee. Learn more at Civilwar.org.
