NEWS RELEASE PHP 02-06

March 7, 2006

Petersburg Breakthrough Battlefield at Pamplin Historical Park designated as a National Historic Landmark

Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton announced the designation of 12 sites in 11 states as National Historic Landmarks. On this list is the Petersburg Breakthrough Battlefield, a majority of which is located on land which Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier now resides.

The National Historic Landmark designation is the highest such recognition accorded by our nation to historic properties. These special places are the actual sites where significant historical events occurred, or where prominent Americans worked or lived, and represent the ideas that shaped our nation. Fewer than 2,500 historic places carry the title of National Historic Landmark.

The Petersburg Breakthrough Battlefield hosted the battle that brought an end to the Petersburg Campaign of 1864-1865. This resulted in the defeat of General Robert E. Lee;s Army of Northern Virginia and resulted in Lee’s evacuation of both Petersburg and Richmond. One week after the battle, Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. Today, visitors can tour a majority of this battlefield and learn about the surviving battlefield landscape, including Union staging area, attack corridors and Confederate earthworks during a visit to Pamplin Historical Park.

A. Wilson Greene, Executive Director at Pamplin Historical Park stated “it is an honor for the Breakthrough Battlefield to be designated a National Historic Landmark. As stewards of this historic battlefield we take great pride protecting this irreplaceable historic resource and making this historic places available to our visitors for their inspiration and education."

"National Historic Landmark designation recognizes and preserves America's diverse cultural and architectural heritage," Norton said. "These national treasures are exceptional places that shed light on our history and help explain our past.”

One of “Virginia’s Best Places to Visit” according to the Travel Channel, Pamplin Historical Park is a 422-acre Civil War campus offering a combination of high-tech museums and hands-on experiences with four world-class museums, three antebellum homes, costumed living history, the Breakthrough Battlefield of April 2, 1865 and Civil War Adventure Camp.

Join Pamplin Historical Park historians for a pre-dawn lantern tour of the historic battlefield of April 2, 1865. The tour will begin at the site of the assault that decided the fate of Petersburg, Richmond and the Confederacy 141 years ago to the minute. The Pre-Dawn Lantern Tour costs $7 and includes a buffet breakfast after the tour. Pamplin Historical Park Members will be admitted free. Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling 804-861-2408.

Sunday April 2, 2006 Pamplin Historical Park & the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier will be open 5:00 a.m. for the Pre-dawn Lantern Tour and from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for all other visitors. The Park is located 30 minutes south of downtown Richmond. Take I-95 south, I-85 south to Exit 63-A and follow signs. Admission for Adults is $13.50, Seniors (62+) $12, Children (6-11) $7.50 with Children under 6 free. For pre-dawn tour reservations or Park information visit www.pamplinparkorg or call (804) 861-2408.