iLuvLocalPlaces.com: LST 325, A Living Floating Museum Docks At Chester, IL

LST 325, A Living Floating Museum Docks At Chester, IL

LST 325, A Living Museum, Docks at Chester, Ill.
By Amanda Helfrich
LST 325 Ship

There’s a big piece of history sailing up the Mississippi River set to dock in a small town in Southern Illinois. The massive USS LST 325 will soon be mooring on the riverfront of Chester, Illinois on part of its honorable River Tour.

The LST 325, a military vessel, was launched on October 27, 1942. The operational vessel was utilized in numerous military missions from 1942-1999, most notably it’s service in Vietnam. The ship was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2009. “They were in use by our services through Vietnam by all of the military branches, so they have wide appeal,” said Brian Congiardo, event organizer. “There are quite a few local Vietnam veterans who can recall being on them.”

Tours and opening ceremonies will begin on Friday, September 16th at 9 am and tours will continue throughout the day until 5 pm. A WWII living camp with reenactments and a historical military vehicle display will also be available daily throughout the weekend until Sunday, September 18th when the event ends.

Every year the LST 325 participates in a River Tour. This year marks the first time the ship will dock in Chester as part of the annual event. The mission of the living museum is to educate people about the role the LST had in obtaining our freedom. It dually serves as a memorial for those who served our country and lost their lives on the historic vessels. The names of those soldiers are displayed on the ship.

“Previously the tours have been on the East Coast. The ship has sailed by Chester before, up the Mississippi, but this is the first time Chester will be hosting the event and it’s a really big honor,” said Congiardo. The LST 325 is one of a kind and remains docked in Evansville, Indiana when it’s not active on a River Tour. Congiardo said the vessel, that will be arriving to the area on Thursday, September 15th, is the only one left in the United States that has been restored and remains active.

Tours and opening ceremonies will begin on Friday, September 16th at 9 am and tours will continue throughout the day until 5 pm. A WWII living camp with reenactments and a historical military vehicle display will also be available daily throughout the weekend until Sunday, September 18th when the event ends. Visitors to the ship will be allowed to tour the vessel with members of the LST crew located throughout the ship to explain the story of the LST 325, and answer any questions visitors may have.

“The reenactments in the military camps will be setting up camp on the riverfront ,” said Congiardo. “They really get into character and have military gear, haircuts and uniforms specific to that time period. There will also be a military weapons display and later model military vehicles along with support equipment, generators and communication shelters.”
Tours of the ship are free to children under 5; $5 for ages 6-17 and $10 for adults. Family rates are available for $20. Military camps, displays and parking for the event are free of charge.
For more information about the Chester LST 325 historical tour, visit their event webpage at www.lst325chesteril.org.