Volunteers help preserve Civil War battlefield

Mine Creek Battlefield Superintendent Arnold Schofield tosses branches from a cedar tree onto a burning pile of tree branches during the annual Spring Cleaning event on Saturday at Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site. The event is conducted every year to help restore the battlefield to the way it appeared in 1864 after the second largest cavalry battle of the Civil War occurred here. The Spring Cleaning event is conducted in conjunction with the Civil War Preservation Trust, a Washington D.C. organization dedicated to the preservation of Civil War battlefields throughout the country. Schofield said 22 volunteers took part in this year's event at Mine Creek. Tribune photo/Brett Dalton

PLEASANTON --Twenty-two volunteers came together to work 154 man-hours on Saturday during the annual Spring Cleaning at Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site.

Battlefield Superintendent and local historian Arnold Schofield said the event, which is conducted to clear brush and remove weeds, small trees and other debris from the battlefield, was a success.

"It went real well," Schofield said. "We actually accomplished more than we thought we would. It was a great success and we're already looking forward to next year."

The volunteers, all of whom worked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., included members of the Sons of Union Veterans group from areas such as Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita, Schofield said. Also, a family from Iola attended with their children to help out. Schofield said special projects were reserved for the young children.

"A real gem of the day was that family from Iola that came up," Schofield said. "They actually sent me an e-mail already, saying they plan on coming back next year."

The Spring Cleaning event is conducted in conjunction with the Washington D.C.-based Civil War Preservation Trust. Every year, the CWPT sponsors Spring Cleaning activities at Civil War battlefields across the United States, Schofield said.

"It's done as a way to encourage preservation of Civil War battlefields," Schofield said. "The one here at Mine Creek is aimed at restoring the battlefield to its 1864 appearance of the battle itself."

Schofield said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the CWPT and marks the third year the Spring Cleaning event has taken place at Mine Creek Battlefield, the site of one of the largest cavalry engagements of the Civil War.

Everyone who volunteered on Saturday received a T-shirt from the CWPT and everyone was treated to refreshments in the site's visitor's center.

Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site is administered by the Kansas State Historical Society and is located approximately three miles south of Pleasanton on Highway 52. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students and children age five or under are admitted free.

For more information, contact the Mine Creek Battlefield office at (913) 352-8890.