Wilson’s Creek museum reopens after renovation

The Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield museum and visitor center has reopened after a multimillion-dollar, 18-month renovation and expansion.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held May 28 for the center at 6424 W. Farm Road 182 in Republic, according to a news release. The center welcomes guests to the 2,010-acre park.

The expansion added 1,800 square feet of museum exhibit space, and new displays include a collection of edged weapons and firearms. Improvements redesigned the bookstore, information desk and bathrooms, while adding curatorial storage, employee workspaces and a new HVAC system.

“It is my honor to bring this project to a successful conclusion and welcome visitors, near and far, to once again learn more about this significant historical event and experience the new exhibits," said Sarah Cunningham, superintendent of Wilson’s Creek, in the release.

The release indicates the project cost was $3.5 million. Springfield Business Journal previously reported the expansion and renovation project would need a $4.5 million investment. Officials could not be reached by deadline to address the cost variance.

"The new museum exhibits will enhance the experience of more than 200,000 visitors who come to Wilson’s Creek each year," Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation President Garin Ferguson said in the release. "Our foundation is pleased to have played a significant role in the completion of the visitor center renovation project by providing a portion of the funding, purchasing important artifacts and contributing to the funding of state-of-the-art video interpretations."