Join us as we honor America’s veterans this Veterans Day on November 11, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with activities and programs throughout the day. Visitors can learn about the advancements in weaponry between the Civil War and World War I at a special weapons demonstration at 11:00 a,m.

A Veterans Day ceremony will start at noon to include a presentation of colors, cannon fire salute and speech. Families are then invited to join educator and musical soloist Deborah Soderholm. She has combined her two passions of singing and history to bring the music of the past alive. A history teacher and museum educator, she has also performed on various stages throughout the region doing everything from musical theater and cabarets to opera. She has performed with PCC’s Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Opera in Williamsburg, Williamsburg Players, Peninsula Community Theater, Fort Lee Theater Company, Henricus Historical Park, and the American Youth Ballet. Deborah has also been heard as a church soloist, professional Christmas caroler for Merchant’s Square, acting and singing in programs for Colonial Williamsburg Art Museums and doing the national anthem for sporting events and special ceremonies.   Everyone will enjoy songs of American patriotism and and those from World War I beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Afterwards, Civil War programming will be joined by a U.S. Army Depot Brigades in World War I lecture by author and historian Alexander Barnes at 2:45 p.m. Alexander F. Barnes served in the United States Marine Corps and Army National Guard, retiring as a warrant officer. He is currently the Virginia National Guard Command historian and author of seven books to include the title, United States Army Depot Brigades in World War I.

Pamplin Historical Park Executive Director, Jerry Desmond will conduct a guided walking tour at 3:30 p.m. of the Breakthrough Battlefield, which occurred on April 2, 1865. The tour will offer attendees a chance to hear about the events which unfolded on that fateful morning while viewing some of the most well-preserved earthworks in the country. A notable story to be shared is that of Captain Charles Gould of the U.S. 5th Vermont Infantry Regiment who is credited as being the first man to enter the Confederate held earthworks. Gould would later receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

All visitors will have the opportunity to explore the 424-acre park to include the Breakthrough Battlefield which on April 2, 1865, resulted in the evacuation of both Petersburg and Richmond. A temporary exhibit titled “292 Days, A City at War” can be toured and is open through December 17, 2022. It presents the civilian side of the war as the City of Petersburg laid under siege for 292 days from June of 1864 to April of 1865. The exhibit is divided into two parts. The first part examines the history of Petersburg and its impressive growth from its founding around 1675 as a trading post known as Peter’s Point to the secession of Virginia from the United States in 1861. Then the war came, the second part of the exhibit covers the war years from the secession vote to the end of the siege.

All event activities and programs are included with regular daily paid admission.