Missouri Civil War Museum Receives $500,000 Grant From St. Louis County Economic Council
Gary Stevens
Missouri Civil War Museum
314-378-5583, gstevens@mcwm.org
ST. LOUIS, September 7, 2010 - The Missouri Civil War Museum was awarded a $500,000 grant by St. Louis County Port Authority from its Community Reinvestment Fund. The grant will be used to complete the restoration of the historic 1905 Jefferson Barracks Post Exchange Building that will be the home of the Missouri Civil War Museum.
The site at Jefferson Barracks was chosen because of the opportunity to save a historic building from demolition and for its military significance. The 1905 Post Exchange Building had been abandoned since 1946, suffering from decades of neglect and decay. Jefferson Barracks, founded in 1826, is the oldest active military installation west of the Mississippi River. Some 220 Civil War generals served there before the war, and it was one of the largest hospital complexes in the entire country during the war. In addition, there are 16,000 Civil War veterans buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Since renovations began in 2003, the Missouri Civil War Museum has invested more than one million dollars in private funds into the project, finishing approximately 70 percent of the historic restoration. The funding will complete the restoration of the 16,000 square-foot building in time for the start of the Civil War Sesquicentennial on April 12, 2011.
"We are very grateful for the support from St. Louis County Economic Council and St. Louis County Port Authority," said Mark Trout, chairman of the Missouri Civil War Museum. "This grant will help us complete the project on time and open the Missouri Civil War Museum in April for the start of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. The museum will be a great asset for the local community and a popular tourist attraction."
"St. Louis County is committed to reinvesting funds aimed at creating new jobs, enhancing services and redevelopment opportunities and is pleased to be able to preserve this important piece of Missouri history," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.
The purpose of the Community Reinvestment Fund is to support approved plans and comprehensive economic development studies, help local businesses expand, reinvest in our community, create jobs, and improve quality of life for St. Louis County residents.
About Missouri Civil War Museum
The Missouri Civil War Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution located at the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site in St. Louis County. The organization was formed in 2002 to save the historic Jefferson Barracks 1905 Post Exchange Building and convert it into what will become Missouri's largest Civil War museum and educational center. The purpose of the Missouri Civil War Museum is to educate the public about the history of the American Civil War and its relevance to the State of Missouri. The museum has a collection of hundreds of artifacts ready for its opening. For more information about the Missouri Civil War Museum, please visit www.mcwm.org.
About St. Louis County Economic Council
Founded in 1984, St. Louis County Economic Council serves as the County's economic development agency, driving growth and prosperity in the most economically important county in Missouri. As the only economic development agency in the state to hold the esteemed Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council, it provides a broad range of services to foster economic development. Please visit www.slcec.com for additional information.
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