Appomattox in Black, White, Blue, & Gray
2026-02-12 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Join us at The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox on Thursday, February 12, 2026, for a living history presentation and lecture by Reverend Alfred Jones. Hear the story of Hannah Reynolds, an enslaved woman, unfold through the eyes of her husband, Abe Reynolds, as he recounts the final days of her life from April 9 to 12, 1865. Gravely wounded during the Battle of Appomattox Court House, Hannah would succumb to her injuries—but not before becoming a free woman.

Following the performance, Reverend Jones will conclude the evening with his presentation, “Appomattox in Black, White, Blue, & Gray,” exploring the diverse and complex community that made up Appomattox County in the 1860s.

Free for members.

Relationships Forged in War Symposium (February 13—15)
2026-02-14 08:45 - 17:30
About the Symposium:

The American Civil War was not only a clash of armies and ideologies, but it also shaped and tested loyalty, friendship, family, and enmity on the battlefield and within the halls of government across a divided nation. The 2026 ACWM Symposium will explore human connections that emerged from conflict.

Symposium daylong event occurs on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 9:30am-5:30pm. Doors Open: 8:45am

New to the symposium this year:

A full weekend Civil War history experience you may customize to your schedule and interests.This year we are pleased to provide more options and more opportunities to engage with the museum, symposium speakers, and our historians! Join small group tours of the collections, a special “Meet the Speakers” Q&A program and private reception in the museum, and ACWM historian-led battlefield tours on Friday and Sunday! Scroll down for more details.

LECTURES WILL BE PRESENTED BY:

•Dr. Jonathan White, Professor of American Studies, Christopher Newport University“Unlikely Collaborators: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Promise of America”

•Dr. Brandi Brimmer, Morehead-Cain Alumni Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.“Black Women, Civil War Memory, and the U.S. Pension Bureaucracy”

•Dr. William C. “Jack” Davis, retired Executive Director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies and Professor of History at Virginia Tech.“Davis, Johnston, and Beauregard–The Triple-play that Crippled the Confederacy”

•Dr. Lindsay Privette, Associate Professor of History, Anderson University“Together at Vicksburg: Exploring the Bonds Between Commanders, Surgeons, and Soldiers”

•Dr. Caroline Janney, John L Nau, III, Professor in History of American Civil War, Director, John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History“From Partisan Warrior to Family Man: The Personal Relationships of John S. Mosby”

ticket options:

TICKET TYPES•General – $100•Member – $75•Student – $35

ADD-ONS•Friday: “Relationships Forged in War” Themed Collections Tours – $25 per person•Friday: Meet the Speakers & Reception in the Museum– $40•Saturday: Lunch – $12.50 (No Longer Accepting Lunch Orders)

•Friday & Sunday: Battlefield Tour – $35 PER PERSON

FRIDAY PROGRAM:

Meet the Speakers Q&A Program & Reception in the Museum

Join us Friday from 5-7:00pm at ACWM–Tredegar for the “Meet the Speakers” program. The talk starts in the auditorium at 5PM, followed by a reception at 6PM.

Friday, February 13th, 2026

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Collections TOURS:

“Relationships Forged in War” Themed Collections Tours

Join us Friday at ACWM-Tredegar for a “Relationships Forged in War” themed Collections Tour! Enjoy an intimate 8-person tour of our artifact collection led by Director of Collections, Robert Hancock.

Friday, February 13th, 2026

Slot Times: 2pm, 3pm, 4pm

Battlefield Tours:

Caravan tours: participants will drive their own vehicles to meet an ACWM historic site interpreter at the stops for an overview of troop movements and battles.

Overland Campaign

Friday, February 13th, 2026

9:00am – 3:00pm

The tour begins at the Germanna Visitor Center (2062 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove VA) near the site where Grant’s army crossed the Rapidan River to begin the campaign. From there, the tour proceeds through the Wilderness Battlefield (NPS), stopping at Saunders Field and the Widow Tapp Farm. Following the route taken by Grant’s army, the tour moves on to the Spotsylvania Courthouse Battlefield (NPS) with stops at Laurel Hill, the Muleshoe, and the fortification exhibit. From there, the tour continues on to the North Anna Battlefield site, then to the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield (NPS), and finally the Cold Harbor Battlefield (NPS). At Cold Harbor, the group will be able to briefly explore the earthworks.

Appomattox Campaign

Sunday, February 15th, 2026

9:00am – 3:00pm

The caravan tour begins at ACWM-Tredegar and follows the retreat route of General Richard S. Ewell’s Richmond defense forces. The first stop will be at Branch’s Baptist Church, where General Custis Lee’s forces from the Chaffin’s Bluff defenses joined the main marching column. The tour proceeds to Mt. Zion Road near Jetersville for the story of Amelia Court House and the retreat’s westward turn, before stopping at Deatonville and Sayler’s Creek Battlefield (VSP). From there, the tour makes its way to Farmville, the Cumberland Church battlefield, Clifton (Grant’s headquarters from April 8-9), and New Hope Church (Confederate rear guard April 8-9). The tour concludes at ACWM-Appomattox with a talk about the Battle of Appomattox Station and the group doing a self-guided tour of the museum galleries.

SATURDAY’S Daylong SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE:

8:45–9:30 AM – Check-in

9:30 AM – Opening Remarks

9:40–10:40 AM – Dr. Jonathan White, Christopher Newport University “Unlikely Collaborators: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Promise of America” and Q&A

11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Dr. Lindsay Privette, Anderson University “Together at Vicksburg: Exploring the Bonds Between Commanders, Surgeons, and Soldiers” and Q&A

12:00PM – Lunch

1:00–2:00 PM – Dr. Caroline Janney, University of Virginia “From Partisan Warrior to Family Man: The Personal Relationships of John S. Mosby” and Q&A

2:20–3:20 PM – Dr. Brandi Brimmer, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “Black Women, Civil War Memory, and the U.S. Pension Bureaucracy” and Q&A

3:40–4:40 PM – Dr. William C. “Jack” Davis, Virginia Tech (ret.) “Davis, Johnston, and Beauregard—The Triple-Play that Crippled the Confederacy” and Q&A

4:40 PM – Closing Remarks

5:00–5:30 PM – Book Signing

Book your hotel room for the event at special rates, available here on an exclusive basis.

American Civil War Museum Courtesy Block – Richmond Marriott Downtown

In partnership with The John L. Nau Center for Civil War Studies at the University of Virginia.

The Invincible Twelfth with Benjamin Cwayna
2026-02-19 18:30 - 19:30
Join Benjamin L. Cwayna for a virtual talk on the “Invincible Twelfth” and the bold, costly legacy of the 12th South Carolina Infantry.

The 12th South Carolina Infantry took part in nearly every major engagement of the war in the Eastern Theater and earned a sterling reputation for its drill and discipline. It became known for its impetuous, devastating, and sometimes reckless attacks and counterattacks. This boldness came at a heavy cost: by the war’s end, only about 150 of the nearly 1,400 men who served in the regiment’s ranks surrendered at Appomattox Court House.

Join Benjamin L. Cwayna for this virtual talk to discover what years of research and exhaustive study of primary sources have revealed about the “invincible Twelfth.”

Father James Sheeran of the 14th Louisiana
2026-03-12 18:30 - 19:30
Reverend Robert J. Miller discusses Father James Sheeran who was considered by some, one of the most colorful figures, of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He was a widower, an Irish immigrant, and a dedicated Catholic priest, and an outspoken warrior of the ‘Lord’s Army’ whether North or South. He was heard to be blunt, outspoken and cantankerous to officers, soldiers and even civilians. Yet, his spiritual and personal attention to the troops in his care was exemplary.

Unconditional Surrender: Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War
2026-03-19 18:30 - 19:30
From “Sam” to “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, discover how an unassuming officer rose to command all U.S. forces.

His friends called him “Sam.” His wife called him “Lyss” or “Victor.” His initials inspired a nickname tied to one of his greatest battlefield triumphs: “Unconditional Surrender Grant.” The unassuming Grant never expected to play a significant role in the Civil War, yet by its end, he commanded every soldier in the United States armed forces. Join us as living historian, Dr. Curt Fields, shares insights from his book co-authored with Chris Mackowski.

Our Fathers Brought Forth: Lincoln’s Gratitude in the Gettysburg Address
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for Dr. Lang’s talk on March 26 at 6pm!

Reflecting on Lincoln and the ancient virtue of gratitude, Dr. Andrew F. Lang discusses Lincoln’s rhetoric within the political and military contexts of 1863 and makes connections to the past and future.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Battling Boredom - Soldiers’ Games in the Civil War
2026-03-30 10:00 - 12:00
Mornings at the Museum are BACK this Spring Break!Step into the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and discover how they stayed entertained between battles!

When soldiers weren’t fighting, they relied on creativity, camaraderie, and classic games to pass the time — many of which we still play today. Join us to make your own knapsack checkerboard and experience games from the Civil War.

Recommended for children.

Free for members!

Tickets include access to all exhibits.

Civil War Espionage
2026-04-01 10:00 - 12:00
Mornings at the Museum are BACK this Spring Break!

Richmond was an active site for spies during the Civil War. Join us to decrypt and create secret codes and find out about some of the spies that were active during the Civil War.

Explore artifacts from our handling collection that tell the story of Richmond spies like Elizabeth Van Lew & Benjamin F. Stringfellow.

Recommended for children.

Free for members!

Tickets include access to all exhibits.

Simple Machines at Tredegar
2026-04-03 10:00 - 12:00
Mornings at the Museum are BACK this Spring Break!Though it is a museum today, our site used to be the home of the Tredegar Iron Works, the largest iron works in the South! It produced thousands of manufactured goods, both for civilian use and for the Civil War.

Join us to create simple machines and explore artifacts that were used at Tredegar to learn more about the history of the Iron Works!

Recommended for children.

Free for members!

Tickets include access to all exhibits.

William Francis Bartlett Medal Award
2026-04-09 18:00 - 21:00
The American Civil War Museum (ACWM) is pleased to announce the establishment of the William Francis Bartlett Medal awarded annually to an American leader in business, politics or the military who best exemplifies character, selfless-service, and courage in adversity as well as patriotic commitment to the ideals of the United States of America.

Major General William Francis Bartlett was one of the youngest Union generals in the Civil War. He rose from a private soldier to general command at the age of 24, demonstrating unparalleled heroism, devotion, and endurance. Fighting in six major battles and severely wounded in four, Bartlett returned to service each time to preserve the Union, no matter the sacrifice. Leading troops in battle, including alongside USCT at the battles of Port Hudson and the Crater, Bartlett never hesitated to place himself at the point of maximum danger. Incredibly, his fierceness in battle translated into a spirit of unity after the war. Bartlett held what he called “a prejudice… in favor of peace” and stood against any “men who would divide or destroy or retard the prosperity and progress of the nation.” Returning to civilian service after the war, Bartlett became the senior manufacturing executive at the Tredegar Ironworks, now home to The American Civil War Museum. Upon his untimely death in 1876, brought on by his war wounds, he was remembered in both the North and the South as “one of the noblest of soldiers and citizens.”

The inaugural William Francis Bartlett Medal will be presented to Mr. Austin Brockenbrough, III at the Tredegar Foundry building at the American Civil War Museum on April 9, 2026. A former U.S. Marine, Mr. Brockenbrough’s life of dedicated service to this community and to this nation is exemplified by the dozens of charitable organizations he has supported and served for over six decades.

6pm – Cocktails

7pm – Dinner

Can’t attend but want to support us? We appreciate your support to the ACWM using this donation link.

The American Civil War Museum explores the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War through dynamic exhibitions, programs and lectures by the nation’s top scholars, and a world-class collection of artifacts. ACWM has locations in Richmond and Appomattox, Virginia. Visit acwm.org for more information about the collections, exhibitions, donating or to become a member.

Myths about Lee’s Surrender
2026-04-09 18:30 - 19:30
In commemoration of the surrender at Appomattox, join us as Patrick Schroeder, Historian at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, delves deeper into what really happened on April 9, 1865. Drawing on research for his books Thirty Myths about Lee’s Surrender and More Myths about Lee’s Surrender, Patrick Schroeder separates myth from fact.

The Surrender at Appomattox Commemoration and Freedom Day Weekend
2026-04-11 10:00 - 2026-04-12 15:00
As part of the regional Commemoration of the Surrender & Freedom Day Weekend celebration, join us at ACWM-Appomattox for special events!

The American Civil War Museum is hosting a series of activities and programs as part of the regional celebration of the Commemoration of the Surrender & Freedom Day. Visitors can look forward to a fun-filled weekend of cannon firings, interactive sessions with living historians, and informative sessions about the lives of soldiers, civilians on the homefront, and enslaved and free African Americans during the Civil War.

We hope you will join us on April 11th and 12th at ACWM – Appomattox!

Voices of Appomattox: April 1865
2026-04-11 18:30 - 21:30
This special luminary program on the evening of April 11 is a guided evening experience where small groups are led across the site—including through the cabin—where guests will encounter powerful stories from multiple perspectives connected to the war’s final moments and the surrender here in Virginia. Visitors will stop at interpretive stations, featuring monologues presented by interpreters portraying individuals from April 1865.

We’re excited to present a both moving and reflective connection to the past!

Tours will run for 45 minutes to 1 hour each and will prepare to leave the museum’s main lobby every half hour, beginning at 6:30pm and running until the last tour at 8:30pm.

Registration Required

The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30
Join award-winning poet Lisa G. Samia for an online talk on her Civil War poetry series, including The Nameless and the Faceless.

Not everyone who witnessed and experienced the Civil War is represented in history. By combining the rhyme and narrative of poetry with Civil War history, lost voices of the past come forth to share their experiences and suffering—where the humanity of history and the songs of the soul come together to create a deeper empathy for those lost and unknown.

Lisa G. Samia is an award-winning poet and author specializing in American Civil War history. She was selected as a National Park Service Artist-in-Residence for Stones River National Battlefield in 2025, Manassas National Battlefield Park in 2021, and Gettysburg National Military Park in 2020 for her poetry. Samia is the author of three Civil War poetry and essay collections: The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War, The Nameless and the Faceless Women of the Civil War, and The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War: Gettysburg, Manassas & More. Her third book in the series received a nomination from the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards in October 2024 in Baltimore.

Why Gettysburg Matters
2026-04-27 18:00 - 20:00
Why has Gettysburg always been the Civil War’s most famous battle and how has it shaped American national identity? In this talk, Professor of U.S. Political History Adam I.P. Smith argues that ever since the news of Confederate defeat spread on July 4, 1863, Gettysburg has been imagined as a place of national “rebirth”. In its own way, it has been — and continues to be — as vital to the story of American nationhood as anything that happened in the Revolution.

Adam Smith is the Edward Orsborn Professor of U.S. Political History and Director of the Rothermere American Institute at the University of Oxford. His latest book is “Gettysburg”. Professor Smith is also the host of ‘The Last Best Hope’ podcast.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Mother's Day Tea at ACWM Appomattox
2026-05-02 14:00 - 16:00 | ACWM Appomattox, 159 Horseshoe Rd, Appomattox, VA, 24522, United States
Celebrate Mother’s Day with afternoon tea at the American Civil War Museum – Appomattox! Treats, tea & a floral bouquet included.

Join us to celebrate Mother’s Day with an elegant afternoon tea at The American Civil War Museum – Appomattox, honoring the special women in your life!

Enjoy a cozy afternoon filled with conversation, delicious treats, and classic tea traditions. Tea service, provided by Tea to Thee, includes a selection of savory tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet desserts, all paired with Earl Grey and Windsor Bloom teas.

Each ticket also includes a custom spring bouquet from The Blossom Farm—a lovely keepsake for the day.

Opium Slavery with Jonathan S. Jones
2026-05-07 18:30 - 19:30
Join Jonathan S. Jones for a virtual talk on Civil War veterans, opiate addiction, and how its legacy connects to today’s opioid crisis.

During the Civil War, opium and morphine were widely used because they were easy to get, making them a big part of wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of sick and injured soldiers became addicted, or as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it, “enslaved” to the drug. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to deal with the health and social effects that came with addiction.

Medical and government authorities didn’t always respond well, often saying addiction was caused by moral weakness, lack of manliness, or mental problems. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the effectiveness of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.

Using veterans’ own accounts, along with hospital and asylum records, government reports, newspapers, and advertisements, Jonathan S. Jones brings attention to these stories. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears a tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era.

A Nation in Mourning with Derek D. Maxfield
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 | American Civil War Museum – Appomattox, 159 Horseshoe Rd, Appomattox, Virginia, 24522, United States
Join us for Derek Maxfield’s talk on Victorian America, Civil War disruption, and how it reshaped 19th-century views of death.

By 1860, Victorians had come to dominate the American cultural landscape. The working class sought for most of the century to emulate them, while the wealthy used their advantages to set themselves apart with material goods and selectively followed Victorian rules to appear sophisticated. However, Victorian cultural dominance was severely challenged by the Civil War. The harsh realities of war changed Victorian values and left many searching for ways to cope. In few areas was this more apparent than in attitudes toward death. Victorians who entered the 1860s romanticizing death found themselves appalled by grim depictions of mangled corpses in photographs of the era. Looking for a new direction, they readily embraced the Industrial and Consumer Revolutions in the decades after the war to reshape how death and dying were observed, how corpses were cared for, and how cemetery art memorialized the dead.

Derek Maxfield, formerly an associate professor of history at Genesee Community College, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019) and for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities (2013). His research focuses on Victorian deathways and 19th century politics and culture. He has written for Emerging Civil War since 2015 and is the author of Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp – Elmira, NY (2020) and Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War (2023), both published by Savas Beatie.

The Presidential Election of 1864
2026-05-19 17:00 - 19:30
The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox is pleased to host a special program presented by the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society on May 19, 2026.

5 PM: ACWM–Appomattox exhibits will be open free of charge for guided tours led by Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society staff.

6:30 PM: Special Program ‘The Presidential Election of 1864‘

This presentation examines the presidential election of 1864, a contest held under the extraordinary pressures of civil war and one that would profoundly influence the nation’s future. More than a political contest between Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan, the election became a referendum on war, peace, emancipation, constitutional liberty, and the meaning of Union itself. Through an analysis of party divisions, wartime dissent, civil liberties, soldier voting, and the broader political climate of the era, this program explores how the election shaped the closing phase of the Civil War and the memory of the figures involved.

The program is led by Shannah B. Winchester, history interpreter specializing in Civil War education and public history at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park. She completed certification from Columbia University on the American Civil War. Her current research focuses on the legacy of General George B. McClellan, and she is writing a book centered on his role and reputation during the events at Harrison’s Landing in 1862.

Out of This Strife Will Come Freedom: Free People of Color & the Fight For Civil Rights in the Civil War Era
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00
Free people of color, through their military service and advocacy, used the political and social disruptions brought about by the Civil War to push for a second founding of the nation. Join us as Dr. Warren Eugene Milteer, Jr. shows how free people of color sought to reshape the United States into a place in which all Americans would enjoy freedom and equal access to a broad spectrum of rights, promoting equality and justice as fundamental features of American life during the Civil War era.

With Dr. Warren Eugene Milteer, Jr., Associate Professor of history at the George Washington University.

Member reception at 5pm

Harriet Tubman: American Moses
2026-06-03 10:00 - 16:00
Join us for a day of fun activities exploring the life of Harriet Tubman, the American Moses, before, during, and after the Civil War. Get hands-on with history alongside our educators through artifact handling boxes, create your own “Star Map,” and take part in our exciting “Find the Conductor” scavenger hunt. Special book readings will take place at 11AM and 3PM.

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Day:

Artifact Investigation: The Evolution of Harriet Tubman — Explore Harriet Tubman’s journey from Araminta “Minty” Ross to legendary freedom seeker through hands-on historical artifacts.

Star Map — The North Star played a key role in helping enslaved people and conductors on the Underground Railroad find their way North to freedom. Learn how to identify the Big Dipper (“The Drinking Gourd”) and the Little Dipper, then make your own star map.

Underground Railroad Map — Trace key Underground Railroad routes and discover the differences between free, slave, and border states in 1860.

Find the Conductor Scavenger Hunt — Search the galleries to learn about famous conductors including Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Van Lew, Levi Coffin, John Brown, and Leonard Grimes.

Nature as a Guide — As a young girl, Harriet Tubman developed a deep knowledge of plants, wildlife, and her surrounding environment, and these skills later helped her guide others along the Underground Railroad. Join us to explore the plants and animals she encountered and how they shaped her journey to freedom.

Designed with fun in mind for children in grades K–8, these activities are enjoyable for visitors of all ages! Ticket includes museum admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Ulysses’s Odyssey with Louis L. Picone
2026-06-11 18:30 - 19:30
Join us as author and historian, Louis L. Picone, uncovers how Grant’s curiosity and humility shone, revealing the man behind the myth.

In May 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, newly departed from two terms in the White House, embarked on an extraordinary three-year journey that defined a pivotal moment in the Gilded Age. Grant’s odyssey spanned continents and led him to uncharted terrain for an American president. He scaled Mount Vesuvius, sailed the Nile, rode elephants in India, and strolled the streets of Sicily.

Louis L. Picone is a best-selling and award-winning author whose works include Grant’s Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon and The President Is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of the Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond. He serves as chairman of the committee for the Grover Cleveland Presidential Library at President Grover Cleveland’s birthplace in Caldwell, NJ. Picone also holds a master’s degree in history and teaches at William Paterson University

He has lectured extensively on American presidents at institutions including the General Grant National Memorial, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the White House Historical Association. He has been featured on C-SPAN, BBC News, NPR, the Travel Channel, and in Time magazine and the Washington Post.

The Most Gallant Fight of the War: The Battle of High Bridge
2026-06-16 18:30 - 19:30
The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox is pleased to host the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society for their lecture, “The Most Gallant Fight of the War: The Battle of High Bridge.”

This lecture explores the clash that occurred on April 6, 1865, as a Federal expeditionary force attempted to burn the vital Appomattox River crossings during Lee’s retreat toward Farmville. Outnumbered but determined, the Federal detachment fought fiercely against Confederate cavalry before being overwhelmed in brutal hand-to-hand combat, leaving nearly the entire Union force killed, wounded, or captured.

Carson Butler directs the American Civil War Museum–Appomattox site. He holds a History degree from Gettysburg College with minors in Civil War–Era Studies and Public History. He has interpreted Civil War history at National Park Service sites including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He also worked as a Virginia State Parks Ranger at High Bridge Trail State Park, highlighting the often-forgotten fighting at High Bridge during the Appomattox Campaign. Additionally, he is a published author in the Emerging Civil War series and is an active member of the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society.

Hunter’s Raid: The Battle of Lynchburg
2026-06-18 07:00 - 21:00
Join Greg Starbuck, Executive Director of Historic Sandusky, for a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary Hunter’s Raid: The Battle for Lynchburg, followed by a Q&A session about the Battle. Mr. Starbuck will also discuss his newest documentary, Lynchburg at War: The Home Front, including filming done at the White House of the Confederacy for a special scene involving Jefferson Davis and the Lynchburg hospitals.

Wine Down Wednesday
2026-06-24 17:30 - 19:30
Unwind after a long workday with stunning views of the James River at Wine Down Wednesday!

Please join us on the last Wednesday of June, July, and August and explore the history of cocktail making in the Civil War era with hand-curated cocktails using recipes from the first printed bartender’s manual, How to Mix Drinks: Or, the Bon-Vivant’s Companion by the great-great grandfather of modern American mixology, Jerry Thomas.

The evening will include light refreshments and great company inside the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar. Exhibits will be open during this event.

Open to all, though alcoholic beverages sold only to 21+

Battlefield Tour: Seven Days Campaign
2026-06-27 09:00 - 15:00
Join us for a caravan-style tour of the Seven Days Battles! This 6-hour tour will first meet at ACWM–Tredegar at 8:45 AM. Click to see google map.

TOUR STOP ADDRESSES:

1. ACWM–Tredegar (Restrooms & Food): 480 Tredegar St. Richmond, VA 23219

2. Dabbs House: 3812 Nine Mile Rd, Richmond, VA 23223

3. Chickahominy Bluff: 2302 Springdale Rd, Richmond, VA 23222

4. Beaver Dam Creek: 7423 Cold Harbor Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

5. Gaines’ Mill (Restrooms at Cold Harbor Visitor Center): 6283 Watt House Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

6. Grapevine Bridge (Lunch Break): 1352 Hanover Rd, Sandston, VA 23150

7. Savage’s Station 2801 Meadow Rd, Sandston, VA 23150

8. White Oak Swamp at Elko Union Church: 6861 Elko Rd, Sandston, VA 23150

9. Glendale at Horizon Food Stores: 6141 Charles City Rd, Henrico, VA 23231

10. Malvern Hill (Restrooms): 8945-8955 Willis Church Rd, Henrico, VA 23231

There will be limited opportunities for food/fuel/restroom stops along the route, so please plan accordingly. This tour involves short walks at various stops. For more detailed information, please reach out to our manager of historic engagement, Chuck Young (cyoung@acwm.org, 804-649-1861 ext. 101)

Hands on History (Every Monday in June)
2026-06-29 10:00 - 12:00
Every Monday in June our education team will provide a sensory experience in our main exhibit, A People’s Contest. Educators will facilitate learning utilizing artifacts from our handling collection. Children and adults will be able to observe and touch replica Civil War-era artifacts while learning about their history. Different artifacts and themes will be featured each Monday.

June 1: Freedom Seekers (Harriet Tubman, Susie King Taylor, Garland White, Charles English)

June 8: The Tredegar Iron Works (Simple Machines at Tredegar, Cannon Making)

June 15: The Path to Freedom (Resistance, Emancipation, Reconstruction)

June 22: Children in the Civil War (Johnny Clem, Tillie Pierce, Tad Lincoln)

June 29: A Soldier’s Life (Uniforms, Equipment, Food)

Programming is aimed at early childhood learners but can be enjoyed by all! Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Secrets of the Gray House Tour (Every Tuesday in June)
2026-06-30 10:30 - 11:30
Step inside the Gray House and uncover Civil War secrets, spies, and hidden stories on special tours every Tuesday in June!

Step inside the Gray House, also known as the White House of the Confederacy, and learn the story of Mary Richards Bowser and the other enslaved servants who secretly shared information about what was happening within the Confederate President’s House. Discover the secret hidden by Judah Benjamin and how Elizabeth Van Lew succeeded in maintaining her cover.

These special tours take place every Tuesday in June from 10:30AM – 11:30AM at the White House of the Confederacy at 1201 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219.

Free to Members

A Slumbering Serpent: George Washington on Slavery and Disunion
2026-06-30 18:00 - 19:00
In this engaging living history program, George Washington (portrayed by Brian Hilton) will reflect on the moral, economic, and political challenges of slavery in his time and the growing divisions threatening the young nation’s unity. The presentation offers a historically grounded and thoughtful exploration of Washington’s evolving conscience and leadership.

Following his remarks, the audience will be invited to engage in a question-and-answer session exploring these complex issues.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Tredegar History Tours Daily at 11am & 3pm & Musket Firing Demonstrations at 1pm Daily!
2026-07-03 11:00 - 2026-08-31 11:00
Join us for a Tredegar History Tour—an engaging journey through the story of the former Tredegar Iron Works, right in the heart of downtown Richmond.

Explore one of Richmond’s most iconic historical sites, discover how cannons were made during the Civil War, and check out our current exhibitions!

Tredegar History Tours @ 11 AM and 3 PM

Musket Firing Demonstrations @ 1 PM
