Bertram Hayes-Davis speaks on Jefferson Davis, his great-great grandfather - the man the legacy

Rebecca Drake, board member with the Champion Heritage Foundation, serves as master of ceremonies

Sid Champion V introduces the Champion Family attending the 152 Anniversary as well as Bertram Hayes-Davis, event speaker

The Very Reverend Billie Abraham, rector of St. Alban's Episcopal church and chaplain of the Champion Heritage Foundation, gives the invocation reading "I was There", a poem by Bertha Lewis

Carol and Bertram-Hayes Davis with Jerry McWilliams, artist and board member of the Champion Heritage Foundation

James Anderson, professional actor & reader and board member of the Champion Heritage Foundation, reads an 1890 article, Champion Hill Reunion

Painting of Beauvoir by Jerry McWilliams, Civil War artist, presented to Bertram Hayes-Davis from the Champion Heritage Foundation

Sid Champion seated with his mother, Mary Champion, and Betty Ann Crawford, granddaughter of Colonel William A. Montgomery, famous Confederate Scout and a distant cousin of the Champion family.

Posting of the Colors by members of the 46th Mississippi Infantry

Brian Short, winner of the Janet Champion Essay Award, plays TAPS to close the event

The Champion Heritage Foundation tent selling medallions and other memorabilia

Vendors from the Eastern National Bookstore, Vicksburg National Military Park

Bertram Hayes-Davis enjoying the barbecue lunch prepared by the Champion Hill MB Church members

Jerry and Kay McWilliams display paintings

Grady Howell, author and a friend of the Champion Heritage Foundation

Charlie Carlisle gives tour of the Champion Family Cemetery. The mush pots were used in 1863 to make soup for the wounded soldiers who were housed in and around the Champion house.  The house was later burned.

Charlie Carlisle explaining that Champion Hill was first known as Midway Station - a stop on the Southern Railroad of Mississippi.  Midway Station was located midway between Bolton and Edwards and midway between Jackson and Vicksburg. After the battle it was called Champion Hill.

The Angel Bandits, a string group from Jackson, thrill the crowd with classical bluegrass music. We hope they will return for the next event.

Norman Lewis, board member, announces Jamye Davis, 1st place winner, Advanced Division, of the first ever Janet Champion Essay Award. competition. Prize $100.00

Norman announces  Brian Short 1st place winner,  intermediate division, of the Janet Champion Essay Award competition. Prize $100.00.

Private Coker assisted by Harvey Smith and Rebecca, draws for the winners of the raffle

Dr, Mary Nell Landin proudly displays her honorary medallion presented to her at the 150th Anniversary in honor of her ancestors who fought in the battle. Featured with Grady Howell, Civil War author

Elnora Lewis Scott conducts the youth at Center Stage

Brian Short, member of Champion Hill Baptist Church performs on drums

Manikins by Bertha Lewis on display at the ticket booth

Johnnie Steward helps with the barbeque

Manikin of Darwina Loud (left) who was a Freedman school teacher at Champion Hill in 1864.  She is holding the book "Darwina's Diary" by Rebecca Drake, editor of the diary. Other manikins by Bertha are also on display. 

Manikin of Matilda Champion and her youngest son, Sid Champion, age 2, who never left Champion Hill on the day of the battle. According to Matilda Champion, "I was in the cellar during the fight."  She emerged from her hiding place when the sounds of battle ceased.

  Visiting in the shade of the tent

Delicious lunch prepared by members of the Champion Hill MB Church.  Barbecue lunch was the featured meal in 1890 Reunion

The Lewis Family Gospel Singers Perform from Center Stage

Johnny Lewis, Sr. and son-in-law Johnnie Stewart

The Lewis Family Gospel Singers Perform from Center Stage