Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
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Visitor center
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pulaski / Wayne counties, Kentucky, USA |
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| Nearest city | Nancy, Kentucky |
| Area | 1,459.19 acres (5.9051 km2) |
| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000001 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1993 |
The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument is a special place in Kentucky. It marks where the Battle of Mill Springs happened in January 1862. This battle was an important event during the early days of the American Civil War.
This battlefield was recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1993. Later, in 2019, it became a national monument. The National Park Service took over the area. It officially opened as a park unit on September 22, 2020.
Several other important battle-related spots are also recognized. These include the Confederate Mass Grave Monument in Somerset, the General Felix K. Zollicoffer Monument, and the Mill Springs National Cemetery.
About the Battlefield Area
The original protected area for the battlefield had three parts. One was the main battlefield itself. The other two were old Confederate forts near Lake Cumberland. One fort was close to Mill Springs, and the other was by Beech Grove. These three areas covered about 647 acres (2.6 square kilometers) of land. Most of it is in Pulaski County, Kentucky, with some in Wayne County, Kentucky.
The land looks a bit different today than it did in 1862. There are fewer trees now. Also, the town's name during the battle was Logan's Crossing. Today, it is called Nancy. No buildings from the war era are still standing. However, the newer buildings do not take away from the area's historical importance. Two monuments placed in 1910 are now part of the National Register.
Visitor Center and Museum
The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum helps us remember the January 1862 Battle of Mill Springs. This battle was fought early in the American Civil War. The museum is in Nancy, Kentucky. It is just north of the battlefield, looking over where the Union soldiers camped.
The museum is next to the Mill Springs National Cemetery. This cemetery is where Union soldiers are buried. Confederate soldiers are buried at Zollicoffer Park, which is a short distance away on the battlefield. The museum officially opened on November 4, 2006.
The Mill Springs Battlefield Association runs the museum. It has a main entrance where visitors are greeted. From there, you can go to different parts of the museum. These include a community room, a library, a legacy room, and an exhibition hall. There is also a gift shop. A special secure area holds exhibits that travel from other places. The Brown-Lanier House, which was used as a headquarters during the battle, is also owned by the Association. It is now a bed and breakfast.
In 2013, Kentucky Representative Hal Rogers introduced a bill in the United States Congress. This bill asked the Secretary of the Interior to study the Mill Springs Battlefield. The goal was to see if it should become part of the National Park System. Rogers said the battle was a "jewel" and would be a great addition to the National Park Service. The bill passed the House but not the Senate.
The Department of the Interior supported the idea. However, they felt that other studies for new national parks should be finished first. Finally, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act was signed into law on March 12, 2019. This law made the battlefield a national monument. It officially became a park unit once the National Park Service bought the land.
Zollicoffer Park
Zollicoffer Park has two important monuments listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One is the General Felix K. Zollicoffer Monument, located just inside the park. The other is the Confederate Mass Grave Monument in Somerset, which is further inside.
Both monuments were inspired by a local girl named Dorotha Burton. She used to decorate a white oak tree to honor Confederate General Felix K. Zollicoffer. He died in the battle because he thought he was near his own soldiers, but he was actually close to the Union lines. In 1995, the original tree was destroyed by lightning. However, a young tree grown from a sapling of the old one was planted in its place in 1997. It is also called the Zollie tree.
