Virginia Civil War Driving Tour

Virginia is a state rich in historical events, from the first English speaking settlement to the Revolutionary war to the American Civil War. Every event with important significance took place in the state of Virginia. There are Civil War trails everywhere you go and plenty of historic homes and plantations to see. One of the best fun things to do in Virginia is going on road trips to explore the different National Parks where significant events took place during the American Civil War and learning about the sites of the Civil War Trails the state of Virginia has to offer.

Richmond National Battlefield Park

The Richmond National Battlefield Park is located in Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate Capital during the Civil War. It is approximately 100 miles South of Washington D.C. It commemorates 4 major battles during the Civil War. The park includes a large area with battlefields site, visitor centers and the Chimborazo Medical Museum.

Your first stop should be at the Civil War Visitor Center at the former Tredegar Iron Works to grab a park map, which details the sites that you’re going to see during the 80-mile driving tour of the battlefield. Make sure to spend a full day in order to explore all the sites. The highlights of the park include the Chimborazo Medical Museum, Beaver Dam Creek battlefield, Gaines’ Mill battlefield, Glendale battlefield, Malvern Hill battlefield, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold War battlefield and Fort Garrison. The main visitor center and the Cold Harbor Visitor center are open year round, 9am – 5pm, Visitor centers at Fort Harrison and Glendale are open, June – August, 9am – 5pm.

Hunter’s Raid Civil War Trail

In the summer of 1864, 18,000 soldiers were led under the command of Union General David Hunter to destroy Lynchburg, Virginia, which is the main Confederate supply and main transportation. Hunter’s raid began with the Battle of Piedmont, where the Union won and then proceeded to Staunton, June5, where they destroyed homes and buildings.

He then occupied Lexington where he burned the Virginia Military Institute and burglarized Washington College. He then carried on to Lynchburg where he met General Jubal A. Early and was defeated by his small army on June 17-18, 1864.

This trail offers some of the best scenery in Virginia, along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many of the soldiers on both sides admired the beautiful scenic views and they detoured to see the Natural Bridge, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Pick up a map at a local visitor centers or download a copy from www.civilwartraveler.com.

Petersburg National Battlefield

The Petersburg National Battlefield (pictured) is located at 1539 Hickory Hill Road, in Petersburg, Virginia is a 2,659-acre park commemorating the Siege of Petersburg, which consists of landmarks associated during which the Union Army pursued a 9 and a half months of fighting—1864-1865.

The park includes the Grant Headquarters at City Point, in Hopewell, Five Forks, Eastern Front Unit and the Western Front. There were about 70,000 casualties during this battle and the longest siege in American warfare. Lee’s defeat at Petersburg, ultimately led to the final surrender at the Appomattox Court House, one week later. The Poplar Grove Cemetery is also located on the tour route.

The PNB is open daily from 9am – 5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.