Pamplin Historical Park

"We Fight for Our Rights" Temporary Exhibit
2021-05-31 09:00 - 2021-11-30 17:00 (America/New_York) | Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803, United States
This new exhibit tells the story of the both the enslaved and free African-Americans who fought for freedom during the American Civil War and their impact on later contributions through the 20th century. The exhibit focuses on the USCT or United States Colored Troops who were formerly enslaved and free African-Americans who joined the Union Army in their fight to end slavery and preserve the Union. It is estimated that approximately 180,000 men rose to join the fight in the ranks of the USCT. Their numbers amounted to ten percent of the Union Army which formed at least 166 regiments that would fight in 450 battle engagements. The ultimate Union victory paved the way for three amendments to the US Constitution. The 13th that abolished slavery, the 14th gave African-Americans equal protection under the law, and the 15th gave African-American men the right to vote.
The exhibit continues the African-American military post-war story by sharing the contributions and struggles of the Buffalo Soldiers of the Plains Wars, the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I and the Tuskegee Airmen who took to the skies during World War II in a segregated United States military. Desegregation of the United States Armed Forces came in the form of Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948. This opened further opportunities leading to females in expanded military service roles in the 1970s. A combination of artifacts, images and prints will invite visitors to follow the road to freedom and beyond.
This special exhibit will be open through November of 2021 and included with regular daily admission.

Roundtable: Fredericksburg's Forgotten Fight
2021-10-07 19:00 - 20:00
Join speaker Frank O’Reilly who will discuss “Fredericksburg’s Forgotten Fight”. 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.
The health and safety of visitors and staff is a first priority. The park is following the governor of Virginia’s guidelines. Frequent cleaning and sanitation of high contact surfaces is performed daily. Staff members wear face coverings and visitors are encouraged to do so as well. Social distancing of a physical six feet will be maintained throughout the 424-acre park and building occupancy levels will be closely monitored. Hand sanitizer is available at locations throughout the park.

Symposium 2021 Special Tour
2021-10-15 08:30 - 17:30
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, resulting in the Seven Days Battle.
The tour will leave from the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier at Pamplin Historical Park promptly at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m. We will trace the steps of Lee’s and McClellan’s armies to the battlefields of Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, Savage’s Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale and Malvern Hill. A picnic lunch will be provided (included in your registration fee). Reservations are required and space is limited. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment is due upon registration. Refunds will be issued, minus a $10 administrative fee, through September 30, 2021. No
refunds will be issued after that date.
Download the Flyer/Registration Form by clicking here.

25th Anniversary Civil War Symposium: The Magnificent 7
2021-10-15 09:00 - 2021-10-17 17:00
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, Civil War Institute
Gettysburg College
“Silencing War Crimes: The 1864 Hicksford Raid”

Mr. John Coski, American Civil War Museum
“Hunter Davidson, U.S.N., C.S.N., etc., etc., and the Perils and Promise of Confederate Biography”

Mr. A. Wilson Greene, Historian/Author
“We Have Done All that is Possible and Must Be Resigned: The First Petersburg Offensive”

Dr. Craig Symonds, Professor Emeritis,
U.S. Naval Academy
“The Elements of Naval Leadership in Two Wars: David Glasgow Farragut and Chester Nimitz”

Mr. Noah Andre Trudeau, Historian/Author
“Robert E. Lee’s Appomattox Campaign: An Alternate History”

Dr. Susannah J. Ural, University of Southern Mississippi
“Unionism vs. Dissent: The Uneasy Homefront in Civil War Mississippi”

Dr. Brian Steel Wills, Kennesaw State University
“George Thomas: The Man Beneath the Rock”

Click here to download a printable registration form.
The health and safety of visitors and staff is a first priority. The park is following the governor of Virginia’s guidelines. Frequent cleaning and sanitation of high contact surfaces is performed daily. Staff members wear face coverings and visitors are encouraged to do so as well. Social distancing of a physical six feet will be maintained throughout the 424-acre park and building occupancy levels will be closely monitored. Hand sanitizer is available at locations throughout the park.

Voices From the Shadows
2021-10-29 18:30 - 2021-10-30 20:30
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 “agents of death” will lead participants by candlelight on a spine-chilling tour through the Breakthrough Battlefield. At various stops, guests will encounter victims of murder, stabbing, neglect, drowning, and more. These and other ghouls will recount their stories and share some of the details of their sinister past that led them to an early grave. Tours will be accompanied by sights and sounds that heighten the senses while breaking the silence of the night.
Based on original corner’s reports, 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 29, and Saturday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required to ensure a spot on the tour. The lantern-lit walk begins at the Hart Farm, located at 6915 Duncan Road, Petersburg, VA 23803. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 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. You can also reserve and purchase your tickets online by clicking the links below.
Friday, October 29, 6:30 pm
Friday, October 29, 8:30 pm
Saturday, October 30, 6:30 pm
Saturday, October 30, 8:30 pm
The health and safety of visitors and staff are the first priority. The park is following the governor of Virginia’s Phase III Guidelines. Frequent cleaning and sanitation of high contact surfaces is performed daily. Visitors who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear face coverings but are not required do so. The social distancing of a physical six feet will be maintained throughout the 424-acre park and building occupancy levels will be closely monitored.
Thank you to our partners at Bank of Southside Virginia for making this event possible.
