Shiloh Readies For 150th Anniversary
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Local organizers in Hardin County are busy preparing for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh. Reenactments start Saturday, but Shiloh National Military Park is already seeing crowds. Tourism officials told 7 Eyewitness News they are ready for an action- packed week. They said many hotels in the area have been booked solid since before Christmas. History buff Rob Robbins came all the way from northern Michigan for the 150th anniversary festivities. “This actually is just a dream come true for me because I’ve dreamed of being able to come here for years and years and years and never thought it would be possible,” Robbins said. And the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau predicts there will be tens of thousands more just like him, commemorating the battle these next 10 days. The Shiloh National Military Park is already busy, even though reenactments do not start until Saturday. “A lot of people will stop by on their way to and from the reenactments,” said Park Superintendent Woody Harrell. Shiloh Military Park will host its own activities. Next week, it will introduce a new film about the battle, “Shiloh – Fiery Trial,” that will replace the current film shown to park visitors. Park rangers will also give visitors in-depth tours of the battlefield. “Last year, we gave some similar programs and maybe had 500 people over the weekend. This year, we already have over 1,500 that have signed up for those programs,” Harrell said. According to reenactors, many people come out to these events because they are curious, and had ancestors in the Civil War. “When people come here, they’ll get a chance to see what it was like during that period. That’s what’s most important, for you to learn about your history,” said Armies of Tennessee reenactor Rick Revel. Harrell said they will extend hours at the park’s visitors center to accommodate the crowds. Though entrance to the park is free, seeing the reenactments will cost between $5 and $15 per person. Money raised by the Armies of Tennessee will go toward heritage preservation.
