Friday, October 17, 2008

The Ghost Posts ~ Battle of Westport Museum Opens

Time for Moxie's "Go check out this haunted spot" ghost post for the week.

This week's hot spot is the a place Moxie has been very excited about. It's the grand opening of the Battle of Westport Museum!!!!

A museum dedicated to "The Gettysburg of the West" is LONG overdue. It was the decisive battle that basically won the war on the western front for the North.

If you've ever been to Loose Park, you've probably seen the markers. The "hottest" part of the Battle took place there, but there are several sites around the area that are part of the drama of October 23, 1864.

Check out the Battle of Westport Driving Tour. I've never done this, but I'd love to do it. Let me know if you try it out.

The Museum is actually to be located in Swope Park (Byram's Ford area). Here are the details:

Battle of Westport Museum Grand Opening
October 18, 2008
6601 Swope Parkway
Ribbon cutting at 1pm—Grounds and Museum open 10am to 4pm
Food vendors on site. No admission charge.

Tour the visitors’ center and museum with its impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits describing the cavalry battle that was the Battle of Westport. Enjoy period music and dance, living history demonstrations, historical presentations, and visit with the people of old Westport who lived through a massive army invading their lands and homes to engage in civil war. Bring your family! Bring a picnic! Bring your camera!


BEST FACT ABOUT THE BATTLE? It was won because a German immigrant farmer, George Thoman, had his pregnant horse "appropriated for use" by the Confederacy. Upset about the welfare of his mare, he led the Union troops to a gully that they could use to flank the Confederate forces who, up to that time, had the upperhand in the battle. The tide of battle changed, the Union won, and the west was secure for the Northern forces.

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