Wilson's Creek museum closes

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Wilson's Creek National Battlefield's museum has closed.

Battlefield superintendent Ted Hillmer says the closing comes after the National Park Service decided that the building housing the former Gen. Sweeny's Museum is not suitable for a museum.

Hillmer says most of the artifacts will be stored at the battlefield. Specialists will check them and clean items that need special attention. A news release says that work will be done either at the battlefield or at a conservation laboratory at Harper's Ferry, Va.

The Sweeny museum building will be converted to staff offices. Plans are being made to install exhibits at the battlefield visitors' center.

Hillmer says the battlefield and the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation are working to eventually add a museum wing to the visitors' center.