Petersburg National Battlefield

06/04/2026

PETE 100 Series: As we celebrate a century as a park, we’re revisiting the events that shaped Petersburg National Battlefield, one decade at a time.

The 1930s: Transfer to the NPS

In 1933, Petersburg National Military Park, along with many historic sites nationwide, was transferred to the National Park Service. Rangers soon began offering free guided tours of the battlefields, including the Crater, which officially became part of the park in 1936.

Before the park had on site facilities, staff offices were located in the Petersburg Post Office and Library. They later moved to a former golf course clubhouse at the Crater, shown in the dedication photo below.

(NPS Photos)

Alt text: Black-and-white photo of a “Petersburg, Va.” roadside sign reading: “City of History and Hospitality,” “National Military Park,” “Crater Battlefield,” “Siege 1864–1865,” “Other Historic Points,” and “Free Guide Service,” with “Junior Chamber of Commerce” at the bottom. Another black-and-white photo shows a large white building with several people standing in front.

06/03/2026

TOUR ROAD UPDATE: Eastern Front tour road is now re‑opened to vehicles. This follows repairs to the sinkhole near the Harrison Creek area. We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews worked to address this issue. Thank you for your continued support throughout this extended process.

(NPS Photo) Alt Text: Bicyclists on a paved road through a forested area.

06/01/2026

PETE 100 Series: As we celebrate a century as a park, we’re revisiting the events that shaped Petersburg National Battlefield, one decade at a time.
The 1920s: A new park

Petersburg National Military Park was created by an act of Congress on July 3, 1926, after decades of advocacy from local residents and Civil War veterans. The first commissioners included Confederate veteran Capt. Carter Bishop and Union veteran Col. James Anderson.
The land for the new park was carved out of Camp Lee, an Army base established during World War I. Early development, led by Col. Francis Pope of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, focused on building roads and clearing earthworks.

(NPS Photos)

Alt text: Two black-and-white photos side by side. Capt. Carter Bishop, an older man in a Confederate uniform, stands beside a large replica seacoast mortar. Col. James Anderson, an older man in a Union uniform, sits in a chair.

05/27/2026

May is Historic Preservation Month. This month we celebrate places that help us remember our past and keep those stories alive.

At Petersburg National Battlefield, preservation means taking care of the land from the Petersburg Campaign. Today, visitors can walk miles of earthworks, roads and historic sites that share this story.

Historic buildings in the park help bring these stories to life. You can see various original earthworks and large Civil War cannons, including “The Dictator” at the Eastern Front. At City Point, Appomattox Manor was the headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant during the siege of Petersburg. These buildings, along with others in the park, are still used by National Park Service staff every day to welcome visitors and share history.

During Historic Preservation Month, we celebrate the past and the work to protect it. From battlefields to historic homes, preservation helps keep Petersburg’s stories alive for future generations.



Alt Text: A bright green lawn in front of a one-story wooden cabin with trees in bloom behind it.

05/25/2026

The upcoming volunteer event, scheduled for tomorrow May 26, is being rescheduled to Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 - 11:30 am at Poplar Grove National Cemetery.

The 5,000+ flags at Poplar Grove National Cemetery need to dry out after this weekend's rain. Email [email protected] if interested in participating, parking is limited.

05/25/2026

Due to the forecasted severe weather, the Knights of Columbus Mass at Poplar Grove 10 am, has been moved to St. Joseph's Church at 10:30. The church is located a 151 W Washington St, Petersburg VA 23803 and all are welcome.

05/22/2026

We have cancelled this evening’s volunteer event to place flags at Poplar Grove National Cemetery. Park staff completed the task of placing the almost 6,000 flags out before the forecasted rain.

Join a Ranger for a walking tour through Poplar Grove National Cemetery this Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm. On Monday, May 25, at 10:00 am, the Knights of Columbus have partnered with Petersburg National Battlefield to host a Memorial Day Mass. Following the Mass, a Ranger will lead a guided tour of the cemetery at 11:00 am.

Stay tuned for the volunteer event to pick-up the flags. Email [email protected] for more information.

05/20/2026

It's National Bike Month! Get outside and ride the trails at Petersburg National Battlefield.

With miles of scenic trails, the park offers great options for both beginner and experienced riders. The Eastern Front features about 10 miles of wooded trails open to bicyclists. You can ride through peaceful forests, past little creeks. You can also enjoy the four-mile tour road, a great option for a more relaxed ride, making stops at key historic sites along the way. Looking for more adventure? Head to the Five Forks Battlefield unit, where you’ll find around eight miles of forested trails.

Whether you’re riding for exercise, fresh air or a new way to experience history, Petersburg National Battlefield has a trail for you. This National Bike Month, grab your bike, hit the trails and discover where nature and history meet.



Alt Text: Four people on bikes, wearing helmets and backpacks, travel in the left lane of a tour road.

05/20/2026

CANCELLED- The upcoming volunteer event, scheduled for May 22, has been cancelled. The parking situation is difficult to navigate whenever we plan events at Poplar Grove, especially with the forecasted weekend of rain. This decision was made in order to protect the resources for future programs and operations. Park staff will be placing the flags during the week.
If you are in the area over the weekend, check out the park's calendar for ranger programs. go.nps.gov/pete/calendar

Please check back on Monday to see if Tuesdays' (May 26) volunteer event is rescheduled.

Petersburg National Battlefield seeks volunteers to help place flags at each of the 6,000+ graves in Poplar Grove National Cemetery. Stop by on Friday, May 22 between 5-6:30 p.m. to pay tribute to those who served. The flags will remain on display all weekend through Memorial Day. We also need volunteers to pick up the flags for storage on Tuesday, May 26 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Email [email protected] if interested. These volunteer events may be rescheduled due to the weather. Check the park’s Facebook profile for updates.



Alt Text: One small child puts a U.S. flag in front of a white headstone. Another older child stands next to the headstone waiting to place the next flag. The volunteer event dates, times, and location in text on image.

05/17/2026

With more than 1,600 produced, the Model 1857 Light Gun Howitzer--also known as the “Napoleon”--was the most common artillery piece of the Civil War. Learn more about it at our first artillery program of the year on Sunday, May 31. Our living history crew will fire the park’s reproduction Napoleon and will explain what life was like for the crews of these weapons. Stop by the Five Forks Visitor Contact Station anytime between 1:30-3:30 p.m. The contact station is located at 940 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841.

This program is weather permitting. Petersburg National Battlefield’s interpretive programs are free to the public.



Alt Text: Living historians in gray and red uniforms load a bronze cannon on a green carriage. They are in a field with a line of trees in the background.