Inside the museum, your first stop may be at the museum’s award-winning gallery “Duty Called Me Here.” Before entering, you choose a “Soldier Comrade” from a group of thirteen real Civil War soldiers. You are fitted with a personal MP3 player and through its audio technology you hear the words of your comrade as he describes his experiences as a soldier. By the end of your tour, you learn the wartime fate of your comrade. From the museum you may choose to attend a living history demonstration just outside or continue along the pathway to Tudor Hall Plantation. The 1812 house has been restored to its wartime appearance and is furnished with period antiques. You may find a costumed interpreter tending heirloom vegetables and herbs in the garden or preparing a meal in the kitchen. Nearby is The Field Quarter, a venue where exhibits, a film and reconstructed buildings interpret the life of field slaves. Cabins, a chicken coop, corn crib and garden give evidence of the spartan existence of the slaves. Inside a white painted cabin you can view the exhibit “Slavery in America” and watch the thought-provoking video, “Viewpoints of the 1850s.” The Field Fortifications Exhibit provides an accurate, full-scale model of the fortifications that once ringed Petersburg in 1864-65. Visitors may explore the firing step and peer over the parapet of this dramatic example of earthwork construction during the Civil War. During the summer, costumed interpreters conduct live artillery firing demonstrations at the exhibit. The adjacent Military Encampment depicts the lives of Civil War soldiers in camp. Stop for a visit with our interpreters. You may end up joining in a game or helping a soldier prepare his meal. The Battlefield Center is a multi-faceted museum focused on the April 2, 1865 attack which ended the Petersburg Campaign and resulted in the evacuation of Richmond. The Center features an exhibit entitled “Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion,” a surround-sound theater presentation, a fiber-optics battle map, and interactive computer programs, including a Civil War quiz. The Discovery Tent is a place for kids to sample a variety of hands-on activities. The doors of the Battlefield Center lead to The Breakthrough Trail which winds through the historic Breakthrough Battlefield. The trail is laid out in loops which range in walks of 15 to 45 minutes. Original Confederate earthworks, rifle pits, and military dams are preserved along the trail. Interpretive waysides tell of the fighting here and introduce you to some of the participants. You can enjoy the Breakthrough Trail on your own or join one of the daily scheduled guided tours. Nature and history surround you on this 1.2 mile self-guided hiking trail. A peaceful journey, The Headwaters Trail affords hikers a unique opportunity to see native flora and fauna and learn a bit about Confederate fortifications. Wooden posts mark ten trail stops and indicate the route. You may also visit The Banks House, a short drive from the Park’s main entrance, and headquarters of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on April 2 and 3, 1865. The exterior of the house and adjacent slave quarter is open throughout the day. The interiors of the two structures may be seen on scheduled guided tours. The Hardtack & Coffee Cafe serves Virginia's best barbecue with comfortable seating for over 100 guests. The cafe menu includes a full range of hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and daily specials. The Civil War Store is one of America's best museum stores, featuring an outstanding selection of books, clothing, art, jewelry, collectibles, music, videos ,and a children's section. |
