News Release 217

SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT
BATTLE OF ATHENS STATE HISTORIC SITE IS MAY 3 AND MAY 4

Volume 36-217

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 23, 2008 – Celebrate spring by attending the Spring Open House
at Battle of Athens State Historic Site on May 3 and May 4. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Athens State Historic Site, the event will take place from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. It is free and open to the public.

Bring the entire family to Athens for a weekend of fun and education. Civil War re-enactors will provide a flavor of soldier life. Hosts in period dress will greet visitors at the Thome-Benning house, known as the cannonball house, where a number of new displays have recently been added. Door prizes will be awarded hourly. Guests will have the opportunity to explore nature and learn to identify wildflowers on a wildflower walk at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Free hot dogs, coffee, soda and sweet treats will be available at the new shelter house in the Athens historic area. The Friends of Athens State Historic Site will be selling craft items, baked goods and Athens
t-shirts. 

Battle of Athens State Historic Site is the site of the northernmost battle fought west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. Union Home Guardsmen defeated soldiers of the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard here in 1861. A cannonball pierced the Thome-Benning home during the battle. Visitors can enjoy a campground, picnic area, hiking trails and fishing and boating in a small lake or the Des Moines River. The historic site is located 10 miles north of Kahoka on Highway 81 and four miles east on Highway CC.

For more information about the event, contact the historic site at 660-877-3871 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com. 

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm.    

###