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2017 Total Eclipse Viewing Event
August 21, 2017 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
ATTENTION – IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF VISITORS AND STAFF, VISITORS MAY ONLY ACCESS THE PARK USING OUR MAIN GATE AT 1563 NORTH THOMPSON LANE. ALL OTHER PARK GATES WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL 2:30 PM.
Stand on the fields where one of the most important battles of the American Civil War raged and share a more modern historical moment during the 2017 solar eclipse. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities ranging from astronomical to historical as we wait for the moon to completely block the sun.
The first 2,500 visitors will receive a complimentary pair of eclipse viewing glasses.
Plan to arrive early! The park gate at 1563 North Thompson Lane will open at 8 AM. All other park gates will be closed for the day. We will close the gate at 12:30 PM to focus our attention on the one minute and eleven seconds of totality that begins on 1:28:53 PM (CDT) The gate may close earlier if our parking areas reach capacity before 12:30.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE TOUR ROAD NOR AT ANY OF THE TOUR STOPS AFTER 12:30 PM.
Visitors are welcome to bring folding chairs and small coolers for non-alcoholic beverages and food. The use of portable grills is prohibitied.
Our activity stations will be open at 9 AM and will include:
Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer – Make your first-hand viewing of this unique natural event a special experience and earn a special badge while you’re at it.
Watching The Sun – Visit our friends from KOCHAB: Kids Observing Celestial Heavens and Beyond and view the sun using special telescopes.
What is an Eclipse? – Discover how the movements of earth, sun and moon come together to produce an eclipse and learn how to safely view and enjoy these rare and beuatiful phenomena. This short talk will be offered at 10 AM, 11 AM and Noon.
Cannon & Musket Drill – Visitors of all ages can try their hand at the drill used by soldiers during the Civil War.
Signal Corps – Pick up a flag and learn how Civil War armies communicated.
United States Sanitary Commission – Meet Ann Hosmer and learn about this civilian organization that provided care and comfort to thousands of soldiers during the Civil War.
Visitors may also become Stones River Junior Rangers and/or earn a set of our Civil War to Civil Rights trading cards by completing our Family Activity booklet.