Pamplin Historical Park

Tea & Tidings
2022-12-06 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Travel back to the Victorian era, when many of our Christmas traditions first made their appearance in everyday society. The first Christmas card, the first Christmas crackers, the first Christmas tree, all of the items we take for granted came about during the 19th century.
While you enjoy unlimited refills in your tea cup, and snack on tea treats, play various Victorian holiday games! Many games have an element of skill or smarts needed. While others are meant to tell fortunes for the new year. Snapdragon involves raisins and fire! (Please note that we will not be playing this game during the tea program).
Learn about the food for the holiday feasts of Yule Tides past. The sweet treats, the main meal, the side dishes, all will be told where and when their traditions originated. Learn what recipes followed into the 21st century!
Get your Tea & Tidings tickets today by clicking here.

Christmas Celebration
2022-12-17 09:00 - 17:00 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Join us as we celebrate the holidays with living historians from the American Revolution and Civil War who will will share; soldier’s life, holiday traditions and demonstrate weapons.
The Harken Back String Band will perform a selection of holiday music for all to enjoy. Make and take home craft activities along book readings and a visit from Santa will excite the young and young at heart.
A separate ticketed “Tea & Tidings” event will be held at 2:30 pm.
Travel back to the Victorian era, when many of our Christmas traditions first made their appearance in everyday society. The first Christmas card, the first Christmas crackers, the first Christmas tree, all of the items we take for granted came about during the 19th century.
While you enjoy unlimited refills in your tea cup, and snack on tea treats, play various Victorian holiday games! Many games have an element of skill or smarts needed. While others are meant to tell fortunes for the new year. Snapdragon involves raisins and fire! (Please note that we will not be playing this game during the tea program).
Learn about the food for the holiday feasts of Yule Tides past. The sweet treats, the main meal, the side dishes, all will be told where and when their traditions originated. Learn what recipes followed into the 21st century!
Get your Tea & Tidings tickets today by clicking here.
Schedule:
10:00- 10:45 am
War So Terrible

11:00- 11:45 am
Christmas through the Ages
Revolutionary and Civil War Soldiers,
Weapons demonstrations and Holiday Traditions

12:00- 12:30 pm
Decorating is For the Birds
Craft together a few ornaments, reading The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson

12:45- 1:30 pm
Harken Back String Band
Holiday Music

1:40- 2:00pm
Santa Claus Comes to Town
Arrival, Reading of the Twas the Night before Christmas,
Talk about Ornaments as Gifts

2:30- 4:00 pm
Tea & Tidings: Feasts, Fun, & Games
* Separate Ticketed Event

2:15- 3:00 pm
Christmas through the Ages
Revolutionary and Civil War Soldiers,
Weapons demonstrations and Holiday Traditions

3:30- 4:00 pm
Ornaments or Presents?
Talk and craft Ornaments as Gifts
Listen to The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Interpretation encounters will include: civilian Christmas, Revolutionary War Camp Christmas and a Civil War Camp Christmas.

Valentine Tea
2023-02-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Join 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.
Symbols for love and romance have been around for thousands of years, we have the ancient Greeks and Romans to thank for most of them. As each century passes, more lore and more symbols of love and romance are threaded into the ways we show our loved ones how much we care. History and fiction both show us happy couples, tragic romances, and today even self-love.
Yet it remains standard to give your loved one a sweet-smelling rose, tasty chocolates, blazoning red hearts, or tempestuous love songs with a beat made to dance. Come, take a chair for our Valentine’s Day tea. Learn about these symbols have changed their meaning over time, and how they have changed into our cards and gifts for each other today. We will tempt you with tantalizing tea, a festive feast, and a program filled with symbols of love.
This in person event cost is $30.00 per person for non-members and $25.00 for park members.
Due to the popularity of this program, reservations and prepayment are required. Click here to purchase your tickets today or call (804) 861-2408.

Medal of Honor Day
2023-03-25 09:00 - 17:00 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
The celebration will begin with a documentary film, which will explain the origins of the Medal of Honor, and it’s inception during the American Civil War. Guest speaker Eury J. Cantillo is the Curator of Science and Technology at the U.S. Army Ordnance TSF at Fort Lee, Virginia and at 1:00 p.m. he will offer visitors a presentation on the history and evolution of the actual Medal of Honor and the changes in recipient requirements over time. A special display of multiple Medals of Honor will show the changes in designs and the medals for each branch of service being the: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy throughout the day. One of the medals displayed was awarded to U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Louis Cukela. Cukela is one of only 19 two-time Medal of Honor recipients who received both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I during the Battle of Belleau Woods in France.
Afterwards, a special Breakthrough Battlefield tour will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Park’s Battlefield Center. There, visitors will begin the tour by seeing artifacts from two Medal of Honor recipients, Captain Charles Gould of the 5th Vermont Infantry and Sergeant John Ezra Buffington, 6th Maryland Infantry. Buffington’s own Medal of Honor is among the artifacts to be viewed. Tour attendees will then tour the Breakthrough Battlefield with the Park’s Senior Interpretive Ranger, Jim Partain who will share the stories of both men at the actual citation locations along with other Petersburg Campaign Medal of Honor recipients.
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor in action. In over 150 years since it’s inception, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to just 3,535 and only 65 are living recipients today. The standards to award the Medal itself have changed since the Civil War and, over time the design has also changed several times. Although some changes have taken place over the years, the Medal has always embraced the values of bravery, courage, sacrifice and integrity.
Eury Cantillo began a museum career shortly after college graduation, first working as a historic interpreter at Plimoth Plantation, later sailing a replica of one of Columbus’ ships through the Panama Canal, and then working as the Outreach Coordinator at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA. At the height of the war in Iraq, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. Cantillo served as an Artillery Officer in the 3rd Infantry Division, which included a 15 month deployment to the city of Ramadi in Western Iraq. In addition he lead a variety of supply convoys through the desert, and finally ended the deployment as a Battery Fire Direction Officer involved in the field testing of the Excalibur GPS guided artillery round. He then used the GI Bill to earn a Master’s degree in education, and began working for the National Park Service at the Lexington and Concord battlefield, the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC. He then worked as the Director of Education for the U. S. Navy’s Submarine Force museum, moved to U.S. Army Center of Military History as the Curator at the Army’s Aviation museum before becoming the Curator of the Army’s Ordnance Training Support Facility, the first operational TSF in the system.
This special event is supported by the U.S. Army Museums and TSF at Fort Lee, Virginia and the Virginia War Museum located in Newport News, Virginia. Strosnider Chevrolet is a proud sponsor of the Medal of Honor Day celebration.

Memorial Day Remembrance
2023-05-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier will offer a full schedule of daily programs this Memorial Day. The Park will open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and activities are included with regular museum admission.

The recreated 124th New York Infantry will demonstrate the life of a Civil War soldier with camp life and drill throughout the day. An display of Medals of Honor can also be viewed throughout the day.

A viewing of “We Are Americans: Air Force Academy Tribute to Memorial Day” will be shown at 10:00 am followed by a Breakthrough Battlefield tour at 11:00 am. A special ceremony will take place at 1:00 pm with remarks made by the executive director, a color guard of soldiers from US Army Fort Gregg-Adams and the playing of TAPS.

Afternoon programming includes a “Music that Moves the Military” presentation and demonstration followed by a presentation on Mortuary Affairs by US Army Sergeant 1st Class, Richard Garcia a Mortuary Affairs Specialist at 3:00 pm. Mortuary Affairs is part of the US Army Quartermaster Corps whose duties include locating and identifying remains in the field, ensuring safe transport of the deceased and their belongings, and assisting with arrangements and military honors at their burial site.

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

This event is held in partnership with the Bank of Southside Virginia and Strosnider Chevrolet.

Independence Day Celebration
2023-07-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Join us this Independence Day as Pamplin Historical Park will offer multiple programs throughout the day.
Families will enjoy the chance to meet founding father Benjamin Franklin portrayed by actor and historian Barry Stevens. Stevens has been presenting Benjamin Franklin since 2005. His education of Dr. Franklin has led him to read and study extensively on the life and times of this American personality. It has taken him to locations throughout the Colonies known to Dr. Franklin and even to Le Procope restaurant in Paris, France. Visitors will be invited to engage Dr. Franklin in a conversation and experience interaction with living history.
Additional programming includes, live music performed by the Harken Back String Band and the opportunity for families to participate in period games. Living historians portraying Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers will share why they fought and explain the equipment and life of the men during the War for Independence and the American Civil War. Visitors can also take part in a special ceremony with color guard, pledge of allegiance and a cannon fire salute.
All visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Breakthrough Battlefield which on April 2, 1865, resulted in the evacuation of both Petersburg and Richmond. A mere seven days later, the surrender at Appomattox helped to secure the Union and began healing a nation.
All events and activities included with Park admission.
This event is held in partnership with the Bank of Southside Virginia and Strosnider Chevrolet.

Voices from the Shadows
2023-10-27 18:30 - 2023-10-28 20:00
Costumed guides will lead participants on a special Halloween tour, where they will encounter various historical figures on a real battlefield. Participants will hear ladies recounting scary stories, music in the night and experience fireside encounters, soldiers called to an attack a surgery and more. Tours will be accompanied by sights and sounds that heighten the senses while breaking the silence of the night. The naturally haunting atmosphere of Pamplin Historical Park gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience the Park and battlefield after dark.
This event is offered on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required to ensure a spot on the tour. Purchase your tickets today by clicking here. The lantern-lit walk begins at the Hart Farm, located at 6915 Duncan Road, Petersburg, VA 23803. Admission is $17.50 for adults and $7 for children. The minimum recommended age for this nighttime tour is six years old. Flashlights are recommended for all tour participants. Call 804-861-2408 for reservations and directions.

Veterans Day Observance
2023-11-11 09:00 - 17:00 | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
Pamplin Historical Park will offer a living history timeline of America’s military with reenactors and multiple programs throughout the day. Programming includes a lecture on United States Army Immigrants serving in World War I by author and historian Al Barnes, a special ceremony with cannon fire salute and tour of the Breakthrough Battlefield of April 2, 1865..
Living history will take place throughout the day with reenactors portraying American military members from various conflicts. Families will have the opportunity to learn about our nation’s rich military heritage and interact with living historians who will share stories, uniforms, equipment and weaponry of America’s fighting men and women.
A Veterans Day ceremony will start at 11:00 am with a presentation of colors and remarks by Executive Director Colin Romanick, which will be followed by a cannon fire salute. The ceremony will honor and recognize all of America’s veterans from the American Revolution to the present day.
Living history programming will be joined by a Forgotten Soldiers of World War I lecture by author and historian Alexander Barnes. 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, Forgotten Soldiers of World War I: America’s Immigrant Doughboys.
A guided walking tour of the Breakthrough Battlefield, which occurred on April 2, 1865 will take place in the afternoon. 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, 2023. 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.
This event is held in partnership with The Bank of Southside Virginia and Strosnider Chevrolet.

Christmas Celebration
2023-12-09 09:00 - 2023-12-18 17:00
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Christmas through living historians from the Civil War. These soldiers will share; soldier’s life, holiday traditions through the ages and demonstrate weapons.
Craft activities will be followed by the highlight of every Christmas event being the arrival of Santa. Children and families will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and also hear a reading of “Twas the Night before Christmas.”
All of these activities are included with regular daily paid admission.
One of “Virginia’s Best Places to Visit” according to the Travel Channel, and designated as a National Historic Landmark, Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier is a 424-acre Civil War campus located in Dinwiddie County, Virginia offering a combination of high-tech museums and hands-on experiences. The Park has four world-class museums and four antebellum homes. The Park is also the site of The Breakthrough Battlefield of April 2, 1865 and America’s premiere participatory experience, Civil War Adventure Camp. For more information, please call 804-861-2408 or visit www.pamplinpark.org.

Memorial Day Remembrance
2024-05-27 09:00 - 17:00
The park will be open Memorial Day weekend, May 25 through May 27 with special activities only being held on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Programming will begin with a Civil War soldiers’ camp life and drill presentation by Park staff. Visitors are then invited to hear perspectives on Memorial Day from a present, active-duty military member. A special ceremony will start with the presentation of colors, followed by remarks from the Park’s Executive Director, Colin Romanick and a cannon fire salute followed by the playing of TAPS.
An afternoon program titled “Music that Moves the Military” will be presented by Bill Stallings, as he shares the importance of military music, on the parade ground and in battle. The viewing of “War So Terrible” which follows two Civil War soldiers, Benjamin Franklin Meyers of the Union and Andrew Jackson Stewart of the Confederacy, will be shown later, in the Battlefield Center.
A special temporary art display portraying American military actions and personalities from the American Revolution through the Global War on Terror will be available for viewing throughout the day. Artist Henry Kidd will also speak about his displayed ‘stretcher art’, where he uses original stretchers as his artistic canvases. The vivid colors and detailed scenes of Kidd’s work, portrays the various aspects of soldiers’ lives from combat and drill to convalescence. Artwork will additionally feature themes from the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon embodied in Kidd’s work titled “America’s Heroes.”
Henry Kidd is a nationally recognized historical artist. His fine art has appeared in documentaries on the History Channel and on covers of many books and magazines. He designed the Confederate Medal of Honor. His artwork hangs in many prestigious institutions and museums such as West Point, Virginia Military Institute, Mariner’s Museum, Museum of the Confederacy, Petersburg National Battlefield, the Virginia Historical Society and others.
This special Pamplin Historical Park Memorial Day remembrance is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia. The Park is open May 25 through 27 and the special programming will take place on Memorial Day only. Daily admission for adults is $15, seniors (65+) $12.00, children (6-12) $8, and children under 6 free. Active-duty military members with ID receive free admission on Memorial Day.

Independence Celebration
2024-07-06 09:00 - 17:00
Join us for an Independence Celebration as Pamplin Historical Park will offer multiple activities and programs throughout the day.
Families will enjoy the chance to meet and hear a presentation from founding father, the Marquis de Lafayette portrayed by actor and historian Charles Wissinger. He will share the story and passion of this young émigré from France who fought in the American Revolution and returned to America for a farewell tour in 1824. Mr. Wissinger is a professional actor with a BA in Theatrical and Performing Arts, and his experience spans stage, film, television, and commercials including appearances on the American Heroes Channel, the Military Channel, and the History Channel as well as historical sites, national parks, and special events. Wissinger combines his talent for acting with his love of history in this research and interpretation of historical figures.
Additional programming includes, living historians portraying American Revolutionary War militia soldiers who will share why they fought and explain the equipment and life of the men during the War for Independence. Park Ranger Aaron Stoyack will present “Dinwiddie County in the American Revolution” where he will highlight the personalities, places and events which played a role in the road to revolution through ultimate independence. Live patriotic music will be performed by the Harken Back String Band and families will have the opportunity participate in period games.
Dinwiddie County, Virginia is home to a great amount of American history to include that of the American Revolutionary War. Dinwiddie County residents formed a Committee of Correspondence and more than 500 militiamen were raised in Dinwiddie County. Many of these men went on to serve in Virginia state and Continental army formations throughout the war. Others such as merchants, supported the army through supplying food and materials or played other vitally important roles in the fight for independence.
All event activities and programs are included with regular daily paid admission. This event is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia.
This event is a part of the VA250 celebrations taking place across Virginia, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War for independence. Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation.
This event is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia.

Voices from the Shadows
2024-10-25 06:30 - 2024-10-26 20:00
Costumed guides portraying “agents of death” will lead participants by candlelight on a spine-chilling tour through the historic park and Breakthrough Battlefield. At each stop, guests will encounter civilians and soldiers who worked, fought and died at the historic site or in the local area. These and other ghouls will recount their stories and share some of the more macabre and spirit-filled folklore from the past.
Tours will be accompanied by sights and sounds that heighten the senses while breaking the silence of the night. Based on true figures folklore and stories of the Civil War era, the naturally haunting atmosphere of Pamplin Historical Park gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience the Park and battlefield after dark. “Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.” – Edgar Allen Poe. This event is offered on Friday, October 25 and Saturday October 26 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required to ensure a spot on the tour. Admission is $17.50 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-12. The minimum recommended age for this nighttime tour is six years old. Flashlights are recommended for all tour participants. Call 804-861-2408 for reservations and directions.
Purchase your tickets by clicking Eventbrite.com today!

Memorial Day Weekend Remembrance
2025-05-24 09:00 - 2025-05-26 17:00
The park will be open for walk in visitation Memorial Day weekend, May 24 through May 26 with special activities only being held on Saturday, May 24th, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Programming on Saturday only, will include a presentation by U.S. Army SSG Gualavisivega, who will share the role of Mortuary Affairs today with a display of artifacts. Park Staff honors those who’ve fallen with a special presentation and tour of the Breakthrough Battlefield and, Bill Stallings will speak on the sacrifices of the United States military in the Korean War, while sharing a display from that conflict.
The viewing of “War So Terrible” which follows two Civil War soldiers, Benjamin Franklin Meyers of the Union and Andrew Jackson Stewart of the Confederacy, will be available for viewing, in the Battlefield Center.
This special Pamplin Historical Park Memorial Day remembrance is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia. The Park is open May 24 through 26 and the special programming will take place on Saturday, May 24th only. Daily admission for adults is $15, seniors (65+) $12.00, children (6-12) $8, and children under 6 free.
Free admission is offered for all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen. This offer is only available on May 24-25, 2025 to active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen with proper ID, which includes a Department of Defense photo ID or DD Form 214. Military veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, DD Form 214, as identification of service.

Independence Day Celebration
2025-07-04 09:00 - 17:00
Join us for an Independence Day Celebration as Pamplin Historical Park will offer multiple activities and programs throughout the day.
Families will enjoy musket and cannon fire demonstrations. A “Load-in-Nine-Times” program will begin at 10:00 am and highlight the types of weapons used in the Civil War to include a demonstration of the loading and firing of muskets. A “King of Battle” program will follow to which will begin with a presentation on artillery and it’s role on the battlefield. The presentation will conclude with a firing demonstration of a cannon at the park’s re-created fortification exhibit.
Author and historian John Settle will present The Virginia Line in the Southern Campaign at 1:00pm, where he will highlight the stories, battles and journeys of Virginia Continental Line soldiers in the American Revolution from his book. Mr. Settle teaches U.S. History at Nandua Middle School in Accomack County, VA. He received his B.A. in History at Bridgewater College at Bridgewater, VA. Mr. Settle was a military interpreter at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation from 2019 to 2022. Mr. Settle has written for the Fluvanna County Historical Society and has worked with that organization in other research projects. The research of Mr. Settle is focused on the military experience of the regular troops and the militia of Virginia during the American Revolution and the campaigns they were involved in.
A guided tour of the Breakthrough Battlefield will take place at 2:00pm. The April 2, 1865 battle saw the U.S. Army’s 6th Corps of 14,000 men successfully assault the Confederate defenses, and breakthrough to lift the 292-day siege of Petersburg. This forced the Confederates to evacuate both Petersburg and their capital city Richmond. Seven days later, the surrender took place at Appomattox. Multiple stories of valor will be shared from the battle, and a display of artifacts at the park’s Battlefield Center include a combatant’s Medal of Honor. Additional programming includes, living historians portraying soldiers who will share why they fought and explain the equipment and camp life of the men during the Civil War.
Dinwiddie County, Virginia is home to a great amount of American history to include that of the American Revolutionary War. Dinwiddie County residents formed a Committee of Correspondence and several militia units were raised in Dinwiddie County. Many of these men went on to serve in Virginia state and Continental Army formations throughout the war. Others such as merchants, supported the army through supplying food and materials or played other vitally important roles in the fight for independence.
All event activities and programs are included with regular daily paid admission. This event is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia.
This event is a part of the VA250 celebrations taking place across Virginia, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War for independence. Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation.

Veterans Day Observance
2025-11-08 09:00 - 17:00
Join Pamplin Historical Park as we offer living-history, demonstrations, displays, and Pamplin Historical Park is offering free admission during Veterans Day Observance, Saturday, November 8, to all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen.
Pamplin Historical Park will offer multiple programs throughout the weekend, to include; Civil War, World War I and World War II living-history, displays, a musket program and Breakthrough Battlefield tour. Pamplin Historical Park is offering free admission during Veterans Day weekend, on Saturday, November 8 to all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen.
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. The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier has a collection of over 6.000 artifacts and special digital devices provide audio and images at over eighty locations through out the park. Additional interactive displays will bring the soldier’s experience to life and visitors can follow the stories of thirteen “Soldier Comrades” from the Civil War in the award-winning exhibit “Duty Called Me Here.”
The free park admission during the Veterans Day weekend activities, Saturday, November 8, includes all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen. This offer is only available to active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen with proper ID, which includes a Department of Defense photo ID or DD Form 214. Military veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, DD Form 214, as identification of service.
All event activities and programs are included with regular daily paid admission. This event is held in partnership with The Bank of Southside Virginia.

Roundtable: Dr. Mary Walker, The Little Lady in Pants
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00
Join speaker Matt Farina as he shares the “Dr. Mary Walker: The Little Lady in Pants.”
The Petersburg Civil War Roundtable (PCWRT) will meet the first Thursday of each month at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Annual membership is $40.00. Individuals who are already members of Pamplin Historical Park can become members of PCWRT for $20.00. Non-members can attend for $5.00 each meeting. Call (804) 861-2408 for more information.
This is an in-person event.

Medal of Honor Observance Tour
2026-03-25 09:00 - 12:00
Caravan driving tour. Bring your own vehicle and follow along. Meeting at the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Departing at 9am

Park Member? Please call for your reservation (804) 861-2408, ext 103
“In the final days of the Petersburg siege, Union soldiers fought with dogged determination against their southern opponents and end the Civil War. It was in these conditions that valor became the daily expectation rather than the exception.”
“From Lewis Farm to Namozine Church, ‘Five Days of Valor’ traces the stories of five Medal of Honor awardees and the battles of their citations. Join our staff in a driving tour of these fields of honor and the exceptional actions of those who fought on it.”

Visit Evenbrite.com today to reserve your place and purchase your tickets.

Memorial Day Remembrance
2026-05-25 09:00 - 17:00
The park will be open for walk in visitation Memorial Day weekend, May 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visitors can experience encounter programming throughout the day at the park’s Military Encampment area. Living historians and educators will share the experience of Civil War soldiers in camp and on the battlefield. Musket fire demonstrations will take place throughout the day and visitors can learn about the equipment, food, camp life, weapons and other aspects of the daily life of a Civil War soldier.
The award-winning Duty Called Me Here exhibit features hundreds of Civil War artifacts on display and the Trial By Fire immersion experience. Orpheo devices provide visitors with information and images at over 80 locations within the National museum of the Civil War Soldier and throughout the park’s exterior.
The viewing of “War So Terrible” which follows two Civil War soldiers, Benjamin Franklin Meyers of the Union and Andrew Jackson Stewart of the Confederacy, will be available for viewing, in the Battlefield Center.
This special Pamplin Historical Park Memorial Day remembrance is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia. Daily admission for adults is $15, seniors (65+) $12.00, children (6-12) $8, and children under 6 free.
Free admission is offered for all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen. This offer is only available on May 25, 2026 to active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen with proper ID, which includes a Department of Defense photo ID or DD Form 214. Military veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, DD Form 214, as identification of service.

Independence Day Celebration
2026-07-04 09:00 - 17:00
A “Round Ball to Rim Fire” program will begin at 10:00 am and highlight the types of weapons used in the Civil War to include a demonstration of the loading and firing of muskets. This will be followed by a program comparing soldiers of 1776 and those of the American Civil War in 1861 at 11:00 am. See the differences in equipment, food, medicine, technology and more between these common soldiers of different wars. A presentation on America’s 250th anniversary will then be celebrated with a presentation and cannon fire salute at 1:00 pm.
A guided tour of the Breakthrough Battlefield will take place at 2:00pm. The April 2, 1865 battle saw the U.S. Army’s 6th Corps of 14,000 men successfully assault the Confederate defenses, and breakthrough to lift the 292-day siege of Petersburg. This forced the Confederates to evacuate both Petersburg and their capital city Richmond. Seven days later, the surrender took place at Appomattox. Multiple stories of valor will be shared from the battle, and a display of artifacts at the park’s Battlefield Center include a combatant’s Medal of Honor. Additional programming includes, living historians portraying soldiers who will share why they fought and explain the equipment and camp life of the men during the Civil War in the park’s encampment area.
Dinwiddie County, Virginia is home to a great amount of American history to include that of the American Revolutionary War. Dinwiddie County residents formed a Committee of Correspondence and several militia units were raised in Dinwiddie County. Many of these men went on to serve in Virginia state and Continental Army formations throughout the war. Others such as merchants, supported the army through supplying food and materials or played other vitally important roles in the fight for independence.
All event activities and programs are included with regular daily paid admission. This event is sponsored by the Bank of Southside Virginia.
This event is a part of the VA250 celebrations taking place across Virginia, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War for independence. Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation.
