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PERRYVILLE — History buffs visiting this weekend’s re-enactment of the historic Battle of Perryville will get a first look at the completed second phase of Perryville Battlefield Museum.
Joni House, preservation specialist and program coordinator at Perryville Battlefield State Park, said the project that started in February is nearly complete.
“This is the major phase of the museum project,” House said. “This was totally made possible by volunteer labor, and there have been a lot of long 10 o’clock nights.”
The museum’s fresh look includes standing wood and glass display cases, professionally produced graphics and several new technological components.
There is an interactive video screen that chronicles the history of the Civil War battle, a research kiosk and another DVD screen.
House said one of the major acquisitions now on full display is a life-size version of Col. William Haines Lytle in full dress uniform obtained from a museum in Ohio.
“We are thrilled to get this,” House said. “Lytle was not the most famous individual, but he is really a great representation of the western fighting man. He would go into battle ahead of his men and was actually left on the field for dead.”
Park Manager Kurt Holman was busy Wednesday putting the finishing touches on the museum. He stressed the importance of the donated labor.
All of woodwork was done by House’s husband, Chad Greene, who is historic preservation specialist with the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association.
For the new graphic elements, Holman was able to enlist the help of someone who is familiar with the battle and the annual re-enactment.
Mike Stretch is a graphic artist from Mason, Ohio, who has been participating in the re-enactment for more than a decade. He did all of the graphic work for free and has made regular trips to the museum during the year.
Stretch, who has helped do other work on the battlefield over the years, said he couldn’t pass up the chance to join both of his callings.
“This perfectly combines what I do professionally with my love of this place,” Stretch said. “I have been to a lot of battlefields and so many of them have been encroached on and you can’t look around without seeing a McDonald’s. I still get goose bumps all the time being here.”
Among the graphic features that Stretch was able to include is a wall-sized map of the entire battlefield.
“We had a map that I produced before, but this includes all of the regiments,” Holman said. “Now people can come in, and if they knew their relative was in a certain unit, they can easily find it. It makes a big difference having it all together to help explain the battle.”
House said one future exhibit will be aimed at attracting some of the visitors from next year’s World Equestrian Games. The exhibit will feature Civil War Cavalry of the Western Theater.
There also will be a number of hands-on items, such as weapons and uniforms, added to draw in younger visitors.
Now that most of the substantial work is done, Holman said there will always be changes.
“This will remain a dynamic museum,” Holman said. “We will continually tweak and add things in the future.”
Joni House, preservation specialist and program coordinator at Perryville Battlefield State Park, said the project that started in February is nearly complete.
“This is the major phase of the museum project,” House said. “This was totally made possible by volunteer labor, and there have been a lot of long 10 o’clock nights.”
The museum’s fresh look includes standing wood and glass display cases, professionally produced graphics and several new technological components.
There is an interactive video screen that chronicles the history of the Civil War battle, a research kiosk and another DVD screen.
House said one of the major acquisitions now on full display is a life-size version of Col. William Haines Lytle in full dress uniform obtained from a museum in Ohio.
“We are thrilled to get this,” House said. “Lytle was not the most famous individual, but he is really a great representation of the western fighting man. He would go into battle ahead of his men and was actually left on the field for dead.”
Park Manager Kurt Holman was busy Wednesday putting the finishing touches on the museum. He stressed the importance of the donated labor.
All of woodwork was done by House’s husband, Chad Greene, who is historic preservation specialist with the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association.
For the new graphic elements, Holman was able to enlist the help of someone who is familiar with the battle and the annual re-enactment.
Mike Stretch is a graphic artist from Mason, Ohio, who has been participating in the re-enactment for more than a decade. He did all of the graphic work for free and has made regular trips to the museum during the year.
Stretch, who has helped do other work on the battlefield over the years, said he couldn’t pass up the chance to join both of his callings.
“This perfectly combines what I do professionally with my love of this place,” Stretch said. “I have been to a lot of battlefields and so many of them have been encroached on and you can’t look around without seeing a McDonald’s. I still get goose bumps all the time being here.”
Among the graphic features that Stretch was able to include is a wall-sized map of the entire battlefield.
“We had a map that I produced before, but this includes all of the regiments,” Holman said. “Now people can come in, and if they knew their relative was in a certain unit, they can easily find it. It makes a big difference having it all together to help explain the battle.”
House said one future exhibit will be aimed at attracting some of the visitors from next year’s World Equestrian Games. The exhibit will feature Civil War Cavalry of the Western Theater.
There also will be a number of hands-on items, such as weapons and uniforms, added to draw in younger visitors.
Now that most of the substantial work is done, Holman said there will always be changes.
“This will remain a dynamic museum,” Holman said. “We will continually tweak and add things in the future.”
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