Background

Wexford Lodge (Shirley House): A Civil War Landmark

Explore Wexford Lodge, the only surviving Civil War structure in Vicksburg National Military Park, and step back in time.

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Wexford Lodge, also known as the Shirley House, is a well-preserved historical landmark within Vicksburg National Military Park. Built in the late 1830s, it is the only wartime structure still standing in the park. The house offers a glimpse into the lives of a family caught in the crossfire of the Civil War and the siege of Vicksburg.

A brief summary to Wexford Lodge (Shirley House)

Local tips

  • Visit the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center first to get an overview of the park's history and significance.
  • Take time to read the historical markers around the house to understand its role during the siege of Vicksburg.
  • Explore the grounds and imagine what life was like for the Shirley family during the Civil War.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center, head southeast on Confederate Avenue. Walk approximately half a mile until you reach Union Avenue. Turn left onto Union Avenue and continue for about a quarter of a mile. Wexford Lodge (Shirley House) will be on your right, inside the park. Remember to purchase your park entrance pass at the visitor center; a private vehicle costs $20.

  • Public Transport

    From the Vicksburg Convention Center, take the Vicksburg Transit bus towards Vicksburg National Military Park. Get off at the park entrance and walk down Confederate Avenue; it's about a 10-minute walk to the lodge. A single bus fare costs approximately $1.25. Remember to purchase your park entrance pass at the visitor center; a private vehicle costs $20.

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Discover more about Wexford Lodge (Shirley House)

Wexford Lodge, or Shirley House, stands as a poignant reminder of Vicksburg's tumultuous past during the American Civil War. Constructed in the late 1830s, the house was the home of James and Adeline Shirley, who, despite being Northerners, established a successful farm and owned twenty-five slaves. Their three children, Frederick, Alice, and Quincy, were all born in Vicksburg. During the siege of Vicksburg, the Shirley family, who remained Union supporters, faced immense challenges. The house, caught between Union and Confederate lines, was heavily damaged by gunfire. The family sought refuge in a cave and later in a slave cabin. The Union army later used the house as a smallpox hospital. After the war, the house was abandoned until Alice Shirley Eaton sold it to the Federal Government in 1900, stipulating that her parents be buried on the property and the house be restored. Today, visitors can see the exterior of the restored house and reflect on the impact of the Civil War on civilian lives. While the interior remains closed to the public, the site serves as a valuable historical landmark within Vicksburg National Military Park.

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