Mormon Battalion Historic Site a must-see

SAN DIEGO — The recently rebuilt and dedicated Mormon Battalion Historic Site is a real crowd pleaser with an innovative mix of media, history and interactivity. General authorities dedicated the site, rebuilt using an Old Spanish architecture theme, on March 26. The LDS Church News reported about the dedication. An earlier news release noted the opening in February. On Easter afternoon, several families were part of a post-General Conference visit where they not just were told the history of the battalion but witnessed it a more hands-on way. Youths in the group said they enjoyed the visit because the renovated visitor center places them "inside the story." "I thought it was cool how you got to be involved with the story," said one girl. For those who have visited the site in the past, it is time to visit again. This is not just a remodeling of a building, but a foundation-to-tower rethinking of the experience. (Yes, there is a tower where you can view surrounding Old Town San Diego through binoculars assisted by helpful guide maps.) Admittedly, the previous center's focus was fairly static, but the new design teaches on several levels. As tour groups enter the visitors' center, they are greeted with old photos of actors who come to life portraying roles in the battalion's 2.000-mile saga from Iowa to California. Missionaries clad in period clothing guide visitors through multi-media rooms representing soldiers experience in the Iowa encampment, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Sante Fe, N.M. The crowd gets involved as they witness the recruitment process on three screens in the Iowa room. Inside a room at Ft. Leavenworth, a volunteer dons a hat, bayonet, knapsack, bedroll and other equipment and given a rifle. This all happens as a rainstorm beats on the roof. One online reviewer wrote: "The new Mormon Battalion Historic Site is amazing. They completely rebuilt the center and added hands on interactive high tech displays and games. The simulated trek across the West is like nothing I've ever seen." Inside the Santa Fe room, visitors get a surprise among the desert southwest setting. I won't spoil the ending. Visitors end their experience in a replica of the Old Town courtroom built by the Mormon Battalion members. Once outside, children busily pan for "gold" in a specially-designed mill chase or make adobe bricks in a courtyard. Battalion members were among those who helped discover gold in California. Not only do visitors learn about the soldiers' trek and contributions to California, they also learn about the driving force behind their journey — faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The center also emphasizes the Latter-day Saint ethic of being good neighbors and contributing to their community. These are certainly important as Latter-day Saints work to build bridges in California. One non-member wrote online: "I don't really know very much about the Latter-day Saints religion. One thing that I noticed, was their strong sense of community. So, it wasn't surprising — amazing, but not surprising — to learn about the impressive and brave contribution this group of people made to our country, to California and especially to San Diego." There's more info about the historic site on lds.org.