On October 28th 2014, the National Park Service held an event to commemorate the 150th Civil War Anniversary of Fort Heiman and to showcase to the public the many new additions to the Park which officially became a National Battlefield on October 30th, 2006.

Fort Heiman was one of three prominent Southern earthen forts on the Tennessee River in Tennessee and Kentucky, along with forts Donelson and Henry. If not for the vision of Sandy Forrest and the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Richard Hanks (past superintendent at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, now retired), Calloway County Judge Larry Elkins, and may others, this historic site and all its earthworks would now be a subdivision.

The site now includes interpretive signs and wayside exhibits, a pavilion, entrance signs, historic markers, a split rail fence and restroom facilities along with the historic earthworks and both gun placement and burial indentations. Superintendent Brian McCutchen at Fort Donelson National Battlefield led the ceremony. Sandy Forrest, Judge Larry Elkins, Debby Spencer (WMTH) and the current Douglas Richardson, NPS Historian all spoke. A few others who "helped make it happen" included: Previous Superintendent of Fort Donelson National Battlefield Steve McCoy, Jimmy Jobe, NPS Historian (now retired), Dr. Mulligan, Historian at MSU, Senator Bob Jackson (now retired), Representatives Whitfield, Senator Bunning (now retired), and Debby Spencer (WMTH).

In 2010, state agencies, county officials, legislators and concerned citizens partnered together to "Save Fort Heiman", a historic Civil War site located in Calloway County, Kentucky, that was at risk of becoming a subdivision. This particular site is part of the "triology of forts" which includes Fort Heiman, Fort Donelson and Fort Henry. To this end, the team at WMTH wrote and received over $1,000,000 in grants on behalf of the county and has worked with the landowners to purchase all of the property. Click here for the latest as of October 17, 2006 - such as the transfer of deed and the ceremony planned for October 30, 2006 at 1 pm CST at the site.

On October 25, 2004, SB 524, introduced by Senator Bunning and strongly supported by Congressmen Whitfield and Tanner, was signed into law authorizing the National Park Service to expand the boundaries of Fort Donelson to include Fort Heiman, thus enabling a new National Park to be created in Western Kentucky! Details of this landmark legislation, historical significance, grants received may be found below.

Keep in mind that none of this would have been possible without the strong support of our legislators and without the willingness of the current landowners who have unselfishly agreed to sell their properties in order that the area may be preserved for future generations.