Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pamplin Historical Park
“Walk along these fortifications, take the time to learn something about the story of what happened here, use the museum to understand who these men were, and the past comes alive with a piercing immediacy that shakes you, and shakes you hard.” —The New York Times
Spend the day at Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier and journey back to the 19th century. The Park’s 422-acre campus features four award-winning museums, four historic homes, costumed living history demonstrations, guided tours, and the Breakthrough Battlefield of April 2, 1865. The Park’s facilities and programs appeal to casual visitors, serious students of Civil War-era history, and families alike. Open 362 days annually, Pamplin Historical Park has received accolades from a wide range of national and regional media and has been rated by AAA Automotive Club as a Gem attraction. The Park is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit the Park’s four award-winning museums and explore the everyday world of Civil War soldiers. Discover why for millions of Americans, the Southern way of life in the 1860s was “A Land Worth
Explore the lives of free and enslaved antebellum Southerners in the context of original historic homes and recreated 19th-century environments. For generations, these buildings housed the hopes and dreams of Southern families. When the war came, they served as headquarters for the military leaders on which their future depended.
The campaign for Petersburg lasted 292 days in 1864 and 1865. The battle that determined the outcome of the campaign occurred on April 2, 1865 and involved the attack of more than 14,000 Union troops on a section of Confederate fortifications on the Banks, Hart, and Boisseau farms. Known as “The Breakthrough” and declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, this Union victory forced General Robert E. Lee to evacuate both Richmond and Petersburg. One week later, Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House, signaling the virtual end of the Civil War.
In addition to daily tours and costumed living history demonstrations, the Park hosts changing exhibits, special events, multi-day tours, historical symposia and educational camps throughout the year. The Hardtack and Coffee Café features lunch, and snacks sure to satisfy your hungry troops. The Civil War Store stocks a large selection of Civil War-themed books, games, clothing and souvenirs. Take a little history home! Visit www.pamplinpark.org for more information on upcoming events and tours!
Civil War Adventure Camp
The Civil War Adventure Camp is the ultimate overnight history experience. Now you can “Live the Life of a Civil War soldier.” Participants sleep in re-created soldier huts and barracks, eat a soldier’s supper and breakfast, participate in drill, learn tactics, camp skills, and music, plus fire a reproduction Civil War rifle-musket. Perfect for individuals, families and group outings! Throughout the year camps are opened for groups on request and for individuals and families on select weekends. Advance reservations required. Contact the Park for more details or visit www.civilwaradventurecamp.org.
Erected by City of Petersburg.
Location. 37° 13.99′ N, 77° 24.267′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East Old Street and Rock Street, on the right when traveling east on East Old Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 E Old St, Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Petersburg Museums ( here, next to this marker); Petersburg National Battlefield ( here, next to this marker); City Sights ( here, next to this marker); Petersburg Region ( here, next to this marker); Touring Old Towne ( here, next to this marker); African-Americans in Petersburg ( here, next to this marker); Petersburg’s Old Towne ( here, next to this marker); Petersburg’s Natural Parks ( here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
More about this marker. The marker contains several photographs with the captions:
Hear the cannon’s roar at firing demonstrations at the fortifications exhibit offered seasonally.
Costumed historical interpreters are waiting for you to explore military and civilian life of the Civil War era.
Walk in the footsteps of Union and Confederate soldiers along the Breakthrough Trail. Trails of varying lengths lead visitors across the avenues of attack and along some of America’s best-preserved original Civil war fortifications.
The Field Quarter features reconstructed dwellings, kitchen garden, costumed interpreters, and a modern museum exhibit that presents a candid look at slavery in America on the eve of the Civil War.
Customized to meet your needs and interests, Pamplin Historical Park offers customized guided tours for visitors seeking an in-depth look at area Civil War sites. A Park historian will accompany you in your car, showing you a side of the Civil War not covered in the history books!
Open daily year round
Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier
6125 Boydton Plank Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
toll free 1-877-PAMPLIN
Also see . . . Pamplin Historical Park. (Submitted on July 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.