• Civil War Symposium: Bridges Over Troubled Waters

    Battlefield terrain features and obstacles have been studied by numerous historians and are the blessing or curse of many military commanders throughout time. The American Civil War is no different with many examples of rivers, streams and ravines playing a role in defining battles. Some already had bridges in place such as the Burnside Bridge... Read more »

  • Roundtable: Civil War Railroads

    Join Bert Dunkerly who will present on November 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. to the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable. Dunkerly will share the story of "Civil War Railroads.” Robert M. Dunkerly (Bert) is a historian, award-winning author, and speaker who is actively involved in historic preservation and research. He holds a degree in History from... Read more »

  • Roundtable: Fate at Petersburg” The Story of Col. G. L. Prescott, 32nd Mass.”

    Join Dr. Sean Heuvel who will present on December 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. to the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable. Dr. Heuvel will share the “‘Fate at Petersburg: The Story of Colonel George L. Prescott, 32nd Massachusetts.” Dr. Sean M. Heuvel serves as Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions at Christopher Newport University. In that... Read more »

  • Roundtable: “Moments of Contingency in the Rise of Grant”

    Join speaker Dr. Chris Mackowski who will present on January 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable. Dr. Mackowski will share "Moments of Contingency in the Rise of Grant." Ulysses S. Grant is a central figure from the American Civil War. A native of Ohio, Grant answered the call to serve... Read more »

  • Roundtable: The Man Who Lost the Civil War Twice

    Speaker Dr. Matthew C. Hulbert will discuss, "The Man Who Lost the Civil War Twice: The Life and Legend of Major John Newman Edwards." John Newman Edwards was a soldier, a father, a husband, and a noted author. He was also a virulent alcoholic, a duelist, a culture warrior, and a man perpetually at war... Read more »

  • Roundtable: Myths About Lee’s Surrender

    Join speaker Patrick Schroeder as he explores "Myths about Lee's Surrender." Many are familiar with the April 9, 1865 surrender at Appomattox Court House by Confederate general Robert E. Lee to Union general Ulysses S. Grant, which led to the capitulation of other Confederate forces and ultimately the end of America's bloodiest conflict. However, there's... Read more »

  • Roundtable: The Forgotten Battle of Wapping Heights

    Join speaker Dr. Timothy Orr as he shares the story of "The Forgotten Battle of Wapping Heights." The three-day Battle of Gettysburg resulted in over 50,000 casualties and ultimately forced the retreat of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee from Pennsylvania into Virginia. Union Major General George G. Meade... Read more »

  • World War II in the Pacific Weekend

    This living history event brings to life the experiences of fighting in the Pacific Theater and the home front during World War II. Guests will have the chance to learn from living historians portraying soldiers who fought in the Pacific Theater and about different aspects of a soldier’s life including weapons, signals and communications, and... Read more »

  • Roundtable: Civil War in Cinema

    Join speaker Dr. Brian Steel Wills as he shares the story of "Civil War in Cinema."  Ken Burns once said that the impression made on the American psyche by the Civil War is demonstrated by the many movies that have been made about this war. Several of these movies come to mind from Gone with... Read more »

  • 27th Annual Civil War Symposium

    A number of irregular operations took place during the American Civil War incorporating acts of sabotage, ambushes or raids and any number of special reconnaissance missions. These activities were not new then and now fall under the responsibilities of today’s Special Forces in many modern military armies. Then as today, it takes unique skills, training... Read more »