VICKSBURG — The Vicksburg National Military Park will launch a new six-part winter and spring colloquium series beginning Thursday.

The free lecture series will allow participants to learn more about the VNMP, according to VNMP Ranger Scott Babinowich.

“These discussions will offer participants and opportunity to become better acquainted with some of the park’s nontraditional stories and challenges of resource preservation and management policies within the military park,” Babinowich said.

The free one-hour programs are open to the public and will be offered the second Thursday of each month through May 2019.

The schedule of lectures:

•Dec. 6: Civil War Warfare and Modern Impacts with Ranger Ray Hamel

•Jan. 10: Superintendent’s Park Update with Superintendent Bill Justice

•Feb. 14: Women in the Civil War with Park Guide Lela White

•March 14: John Wesley Powell, Civil War Soldier and Explorer with Ranger Scott Babinowich

•May 9: The Cotton Rush: an Exploding Economy vs. an Imploding Nation with Licensed Battlefield Guide Michael Logue

The lectures will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the park’s Visitor Center.

For more information, contact Babinowich at 601-619-2905 or Scott_babinowich@nps.gov.