history talks
Symposium 2021 Special Tour
Join Pamplin Historical Park’s Executive Director, Jerry “Dez” Desmond, and park historian, Tim Talbott, as we explore events in June of 1862 when 105,000 Union soldiers prepared to lay siege to the Confederate capital, Richmond, and end the Civil War. Seizing the initiative, new appointed Confederate commander, Robert E. Lee, lashed out at the Federals,... Read more »
25th Anniversary Civil War Symposium: The Magnificent 7
Park Members pay $315 per person and non-members pay $349. The price includes all lectures, the Friday night reception, two mid-morning coffee breaks, two lunches, and the Saturday night banquet. Space is limited and reservations are required. A letter of confirmation will be sent to registrants. Speakers & Topics Include: Dr. Peter S. Carmichael, Director,... Read more »
Voices From the Shadows
Based on true accounts, these Virginia stories will lead you through a cemetery walk. You will meet spirits of the past, brought to life for one night to tell their tales of how they perished. The naturally haunting atmosphere of Pamplin Historical Park will enhance your visit to our battlefield after dark. Costumed guides portraying... Read more »
Roundtable: The New Market Campaign
Join speaker Sarah Bierle as she discusses "The New Market Campaign." The Battle of New Market took place on May 15, 1864 during what is known as the Valley Campaigns of 1864. A larger Union force being the Army of the Shenandoah under Major General Franz Sigel was defeated while confronting a smaller Confederate force... Read more »
Veterans Day
Pamplin Historical Park 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, United StatesPamplin Historical Park will offer multiple programs throughout the day, to include presentations on artillery "The King of Battle", a lecture and living-history demonstration on the Spanish-American War, a live musical performance of soldier's songs and a ceremony with cannon fire salute. A Veterans Day ceremony will start at noon with a presentation of colors... Read more »
Roundtable: Petersburg’s Regiment: The 12th Virginia Infantry
Join speaker John Horn as he share the story of "Petersburg's Regiment: The 12th Virginia Infantry.” Horn spent decades researching the 12th Virginia Infantry through searching archives and uncovering scores of previously unknown accounts. In his book, Petersburg's Regiment: The 12th Virginia Infantry, Horn shares personal glimpses of the men who served from the hanging... Read more »
Roundtable: The Army of the Potomac on the Overland & Petersburg Campaigns
Join speaker Steven Sodergren as he shares the story of “The Army of the Potomac in the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns.” The final year of the Civil War found the Army of the Potomac endured months of brutal trench warfare and fighting against their Confederate adversaries. Sondergren will explore the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns where... Read more »
Roundtable: Stephen A. Swails: Black Freedom Fighter
Join speaker Gordon Rhea as he shares the story of "Stephen A. Swails: Black Freedom Fighter in the Civil War and Reconstruction." Stephen Atkins Swails was a free Black in the North prior to the American Civil War. Swails would join the war effort and become the first African American combat officer in the United... Read more »
Valentine Tea
Pamplin Historical Park 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, United StatesJoin Pamplin Historical Park’s Valentine Tea where park staff are attired in mid- 1800s, clothing and will present a themed program. Due to the popularity of this program, reservations and prepayment are required. The Victorians were creative in divining what their true loves would look like, what their names would start with, and other defining... Read more »
Roundtable: Six Days of Awful Fighting
Pamplin Historical Park 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, United StatesSpeaker Eric Wittenberg will discuss, “Six Days of Awful Fighting: Cavalry Operations on the Road to Cold Harbor.” Most students of the Civil War are familiar with the terrible infantry fighting that occurred on June 1-3, 1864 at Cold Harbor in Hanover County, Virginia. Many however, are unfamiliar with the concerted cavalry fighting that took... Read more »
