Tourists are enthusiastically back on the road after a long lull for Covid. And just like before Covid shut down much of the country Civil War sites are still popular places to visit.

Twenty years ago, Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage established 28 kiosks in Middle Tennessee guiding tourists through what became known as the Tullahoma Campaign from June 24 through July 3, 1863. The Battle of Hoover’s Gap was the main engagement of the campaign which resulted in Confederate General Braxton Bragg retreating south to Chattanooga.

In addition to the kiosks a brochure was published to guide visitors along the route. A book was also commissioned.

Dianne Murray, executive director, and the Backroads board are embarking on a three-prong campaign.

“We want to make the Tullahoma Campaign signs look new again and update the accompanying publications,” Murray said. “We must continue to study the historical attributes that are in this area and give travelers the opportunity to learn more about the Civil War and the effects it had on their family and the country.”

The kiosks are the first priority as the elements and time have forced a need to replace or repair the kiosks. The second tier is reprinting the self-driving brochure that directs tourists as well as providing information about each stop. Phase three is to revise and reprint the Tullahoma Campaign book, which includes great map details, historic photos and other information about the campaign.

The three-tiered project has a cost estimate of $30,000. Backroads has been awarded a small grant from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to assist with the project. Backroads is also seeking donations from interested parties to complete the project. The completion of Phase One funding is scheduled for June.

“Heritage travelers want to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present,” Murray said. “These travelers are extremely interested in this part of the Civil War and this project has brought tremendous economic benefit to the area.

“In fact, Backroads has hosted two symposiums about the Tullahoma Campaign and the Civil War and attendees came from all throughout Tennessee as well as surrounding states. There has been tremendous interest in learning about the soldiers and the ancestry component that folks want to study as it relates to their family heritage.”

Donations of any amount are appreciated. They can be mailed to Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage, Attn: Treasurer, 1994 John R. Hill Road, Lewisburg, TN 37091. For more information contact Murray by email at tnbackroads@bellsouth.net or call 615-613-5627.