Renovations are coming to the visitor center at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Missouri/NPS file

Public and private funding in the amount of $1 million is paying for renovation of the visitor center at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Missouri.

The money was raised via the National Park Foundation and the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation in the form of $500,000 in private dollars matched by a federal appropriation.

“The expansion of the Wilson’s Creek Visitor Center will allow the park to bring truly unique historic artifacts out of storage and into the public view,” said U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. “The Wilson’s Creek Foundation and the National Park Foundation have worked together to maximize local contributions. The Centennial Act matching funds have done exactly what that fund was created for. Five hundred thousand dollars of private contributions were matched and that $1 million allowed the Park Service to move a visit to Wilson’s Creek to a dramatically improved experience.”

Wilson's Creek marks the spot of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.

The announcement this week marks a well-rounded combination of private philanthropy and federal funds to preserve and enhance a site of major historical significance. Thanks to NPF, National Park Service, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation, individual donors, corporate partners, and the U.S. Congress, the public will soon be able to access a new exhibit of a collection of artifacts considered to be one of the finest publicly held museum collections representing the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War.

“Before the establishment of this park, a committee to preserve Wilson’s Creek Battlefield worked with private citizens, community leaders, and the State of Missouri to promote Wilson’s Creek as a battlefield within the National Park Service, and this concept of working together continues today,” said Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Superintendent Ted Hillmer. “It has been my honor to be a part of a partnership that has accomplished this major construction project, which will allow future generations to better understand and appreciate history.”

Together, NPF and the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation provided $500,000 in philanthropic support, which was matched with $500,000 in federal funding authorized and appropriated for NPF under the 2016 National Park Service Centennial Act (PL-114-289) for a total of $1 million in support toward the total estimated cost of $4.5 million. Bass Pro Shops’ previously announced $25,000 lead gift has been followed by many individual and corporate donations, including a recent major donation from Arvest Bank. These contributions are part of the $500,000 in philanthropic support.

“The National Park Foundation is proud to support the partnership to renovate the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center,” said Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. “This project is a perfect example of how a holistic funding model, involving private philanthropy and federal funding, can enhance the visitor experience.”

"The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation exists to help preserve and promote the history of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, and we are honored by the broad public support we received from area businesses and individuals on this project,” said Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation President Mike Ussery. “When the Foundation led the effort to establish the park nearly seventy years ago, it was for moments like this and the opportunity to ensure that present and future generations are able to learn about the amazing history of the Battle of Wilson's Creek. As a Foundation, we are proud to have played an integral role in bringing this project to fruition."

The renovation, which includes adding 1,873 square feet of exhibit space, will enable visitors to view, enjoy, and learn from the park’s extensive collection of artifacts. Currently, most of the park’s more than 81,000 artifacts are in storage. Updates will also provide for interactive displays and “virtual displays,” making it possible for people to digitally view fragile artifacts and other items in storage in 3D. The renovation also includes an upgrade of the visitor center’s heating and air conditioning systems to protect fragile artifacts and provide a positive experience for the more than 200,000 people who visit the park each year.