Pamplin Historical Park

10/15/2026

We have several exciting events coming up in the next few weeks. Tomorrow kicks off our 30th Annual Civil War Symposium, next weekend is our Voice from the Shadows event and then on Halloween is our 9th Annual Breakthrough Trail 5K.

Tickets are still available for the Voices from the Shadows so act now by clicking https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-from-the-shadows-tickets-2003006275690?aff=ebdsoporgprofile to get your tickets today!

A walk through the spookier side of history...

10/08/2026

30th Annual Civil War Symposium: Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions - Speaker Spotlight: Robert I. Girardi.

Girardi is an accomplished author, historian and popular speaker and consultant on the American Civil War. He is a fellow of the Company of Military Historians, and was named to the board of directors for the Camp Douglas Restoration Society. He also serves on the editorial review board for the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. His next book is The Soldiers’ General: Major General Gouveneur K. Warren and the Civil War.

Girardi will speak on Major General William "Bull" Nelson at this year's conference to be held on Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Pamplin Historical Park’s Education Center in Petersburg, Virginia. “Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions” explores seven fiery Civil War commanders who let anger get the best of them both in and out of uniform.

Time is running out! Visit this link for more information https://conta.cc/3RVReal and pre-registration is required as space is limited. Girardi is one of seven outstanding historians this year and the others are; Chris Hartley, James A. Hessler, Dr. Brooks D. Simpson, Dr. Christopher S. Stowe, Jeffry Wert and Dr. Brian Steel Wills.

10/01/2026

Act now! There's still a few tickets available for our Paranormal event this Saturday, October 3 at 6:00 pm. Join the researchers of Cabin on 360 as they explore the Tudor Hall area of the battlefield and park for activity, while learning about the historical events that took place here. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paranormal-investigation-tickets-1997888822249?aff=ebdsoporgprofile to purchase your tickets today!

09/28/2026

30th Annual Civil War Symposium: Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions - Speaker Spotlight: James A. Hessler.

James A. Hessler is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park. His 2009 book, Sickles at Gettysburg, was awarded the R.E. Lee Civil War Round Table’s Bachelder Coddington Award and the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table's Distinguished Book Award as the most outstanding work on the Gettysburg Campaign. His most recent book, Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, was co-authored with Wayne Motts and released in 2015. Jim has been a guest on NPR, Travel Channel, PCN-TV, Breitbart News, and Civil War Radio. He is a popular author and speaker at civil war round tables who has taught courses for the Gettysburg Foundation and Harrisburg (PA) Area Community College.

Hessler will speak on Major General Daniel E. Sickles at this year's conference to be held on Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Pamplin Historical Park’s Education Center in Petersburg, Virginia. “Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions” explores seven fiery Civil War commanders who let anger get the best of them both in and out of uniform. Visit this link for more information https://conta.cc/3RVReal and pre-registration is required as space is limited. Hartley is one of seven outstanding historians this year and the others are; Chris J. Hartley, Robert I. Girardi, Dr. Brooks D. Simpson, Dr. Christopher S. Stowe, Jeffry Wert and Dr. Brian Steel Wills.

09/25/2026

Visit the park tomorrow and included with regular admission is the Peebles’ Farm Anniversary program. Grant’s 5th offensive was a large scale continuation of the Petersburg Campaign, and resulted in the construction of defensive fortifications on what is now Pamplin Historical Park. The following schedule outlines the day's activities.

10:00-4:00 pm: Military Encampment Open

12:00 AM – R***e Firing Demonstration

Watch and listen as an interpreter in period correct clothing performs 1864 r***e-musket drill, just as the millions of infantry soldiers would have during the Civil War.

1:00 PM – Grant’s 5th Offensive Presentation

Join a Pamplin Historical Park educator for a presentation on the events of September and October 1864, culminating in the Battle of Peebles’ Farm near modern day Pamplin Historical Park.

2:30 PM – Soldiers of Peebles’ Farm

Hear the stories of soldiers of specific regiments that were engaged at Peebles’ Farm. This program ends with a bang, literally, as a costumed interpreter concludes with a r***e firing.

Short Films – Available on-demand all day

“Slavery in America” – Field Quarter – Runtime: 20 minutes

“Breakthrough” – Battlefield Center – Runtime: 10 minutes

09/23/2026

Join us for the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable next Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 pm when Ken Osen will present "Why is a Blue Coat Blue." How did the simple terms "redcoat" and "bluecoat" become universal descriptions of a nation’s army in the age of black powder? Osen will explore this topic through artwork and images throughout the history of the United States military.

Kenneth Osen’s lifelong interest in history eventually led him to a career as a researcher, designer, model maker and sculptor. Encouraged from a young age by his parents he became involved in Black Powder shooting, leading to involvement with 18th and 19th century living history groups. The hobby introduced him to many collectors, artists and museum professionals with the same passion for history. Leaving behind careers in both law enforcement and the dental industry, in 1991 he decided to combine his interests in history and miniatures by establishing a small studio creating miniatures for museums, collectors and museum exhibit fabrication. Designing and sculpting figures for various toy and collectibles companies led to the management of one of the oldest continually operating toy soldier companies in the world, William Britain model figure company. Recently retiring Ken has relocated to New Bern, North Carolina with his wife Ericka where he plans to pursue the many personal projects he put on the back burner while working.

The Petersburg Civil War Roundtable (PCWRT) will meet the first Thursday of each month (except for the months of June, July and August) 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.

Pamplin Historical Park is a Civil War campus with four museums, three historic homes and the Breakthrough battlefield of April 2, 1865 near Petersburg VA.

09/16/2026

Join us this Saturday for our last in a series of Focus Weekends being "Faith and Religion in the Civil War." The following programs are included with regular daily park admission.

11:00 a.m: “God Has Fixed the Time For My Death”
This thematic tour of the Duty Called Me Here gallery discusses faith and religion from the perspective of the common soldier. Artifacts and accounts will highlight the importance of faith and family in decision-making and fulfilling one’s duty.

12:00 p.m. Gettysburg and Petersburg: Two Battles through the Eyes of Union Chaplains
Nancy Hale, author of A Sight Never to Be Forgotten: Eyewitness Accounts from Union Chaplains at Gettysburg, will present and offer her book for purchase. Hale’s talk will outline chaplaincy, then share chaplain stories from Gettysburg and other battles. She will also share the story (in character) of the only woman to serve as a chaplain during the war.

1:00 p.m. Faith on the Lines
Historical park educators and interpreters, will share accounts of religion specific to the Petersburg Campaign. In addition, they will talk about the role of the Christian Commission at City Point, as well as the other relief organizations formed for both the Union and Confederate forces. The formation of nearby cemeteries such as Blandford and Poplar Grove will also be featured in this presentation.

2:00 p.m. The Civil War as the Seedbed for Christian Nationalism

This program will explore how the Civil War transformed Protestantism into two competing ideologies. between the North and South.

09/08/2026

30th Annual Civil War Symposium: Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions - Speaker Spotlight: Chris J. Hartley.

Hartley is the author of several nonfiction books. His latest book is Confederate General D.H. Hill: A Military Life (Savas Beatie, 2026). It's the first full-length biography of that controversial Civil War general. Prior to that, Hartley wrote The Lost Soldier (Stackpole Books, 2018). It follows the ordeal of a World War II draftee and his family from the home front to the Huertgen Forest. Hartley also authored Stoneman's Raid, 1865, which was published by John F. Blair, Publisher. The book won the Willie Parker Peace Prize from the N.C. Society of Historians and was named a finalist for the Ben Franklin Award in History from the Independent Book Publishers Association. The Historic Salisbury Foundation has honored Hartley with a Preservation Education and Publication Award for his work on Stoneman's Raid. Hartley is also the author of Stuart's Tarheels: James B. Gordon and his North Carolina Cavalry. The first edition, from Butternut & Blue, received the UDC's Jefferson Davis Award.

Hartley will speak on Major General D. H. Hill at this year's conference to be held on Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Pamplin Historical Park’s Education Center in Petersburg, Virginia. “Hot Heads!: Quick Tempers & Rash Actions” explores seven fiery Civil War commanders who let anger get the best of them both in and out of uniform. Visit this link for more information https://conta.cc/3RVReal and pre-registration is required as space is limited. Hartley is one of seven outstanding historians this year and the others are; James A. Hessler, Robert I. Girardi, Dr. Brooks D. Simpson, Dr. Christopher S. Stowe, Jeffry Wert and Dr. Brian Steel Wills.

09/04/2026

Explore Pamplin Historical park's 424-acres this Labor Day Weekend from 9am to 5pm. The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier offers interactive exhibit, artifact displays, and the opportunity to follow one of thirteen "Soldier Comrades" through their wartime experiences. Historic homes, the Battlefield Center and trails offer visitors a chance to step into the past while absorbing the beauty of the park.

09/03/2026

Join us at 7pm tonight for the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable where Frank O'Reilly will present his new book, Retreat from Victory, The Battle of Malvern Hill and the End of the Seven Days, July 1, 1862.

Francis Augustín O’Reilly is an author and historian who can often be found on the Civil War battlefields of Virginia and, occasionally, on the battlefields of Europe. O’Reilly wrote the award-winning The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock (2003), which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Military history is his passion, and he has had a lifelong fascination with how soldiers conduct themselves under extreme duress. O’Reilly has been a professional battlefield guide for forty years. He has led tours and staff rides from Manassas to Appomattox and has lectured around the world on topics of war and leadership.

The Petersburg Civil War Roundtable (PCWRT) will meet the first Thursday of each month (except for the months of June, July and August) 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.