News Release Date:
August 9, 2024

Contact:Mary O'Neill, 540-693-3200

FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Visit Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park to discover the stories of soldiers, civilians, and enslaved freedom seekers who experienced four major battles and helped determine the fate of the nation during the Civil War.

Upcoming special events include living history at the Sunken Road and two History Hikes that highlight unique stories. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Events and hours for August 12, 2024 to October 19, 2024 are as follows:

August 31, 2024

Labor Day Weekend Living History at the Sunken Road
10 am-4 pm

Visit the Sunken Road as park staff and volunteers wear authentic clothing and equipment to demonstrate the appearance of soldiers at Fredericksburg in 1862. Interact with the historical interpreters to learn more about the experience of those who lived during the Civil War.

September 28, 2024

History Hike: Gallant Quaker City Men
10 am; Meet at Fairview (Chancellorsville Battlefield Tour Stop #10); 2-mile hike, 2 hours
Join park staff for a two-mile hike exploring the history of the 114th Pennsylvania regiment on the newly created trail leading to their 1899 monument. Discover how this Zouave regiment's pride affected their battlefield actions and drove memorialization of their wartime experiences. Hike includes slight elevation changes. Participants should wear good walking shoes and bring water.

October 12, 2024

History Hike: Bridges over the River Rappahannock
10 am; Meet at Chatham (Fredericksburg Battlefield Tour Stop #2, 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22405); 2-mile hike, 2 hours

Join park staff for an approximately two-mile hike that examines the pivotal pontoon bridges and the Battle of Fredericksburg. What obstacles did the United States Army face in crossing the Rappahannock River? How did an operation that was supposed to go smoothly turn into anything but? This walk will entail some changes in elevation, down and uphill. Participants should wear good walking shoes and bring water.

Building Hours

• The Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Centers are open 7 days a week, 9 am-5 pm.

• Chatham is open Friday-Tuesday (closed Wednesday & Thursday), 9 am-5 pm. (Chatham will be closing for a scheduled maintenance project around September 3, the details for this closure are subject to change.)

• The Jackson Death Site is open Saturdays, 9 am-5 pm.

• Ellwood is open select dates, 9 am-5 pm: August 25; September 7, 14, 21 & 22; October 5 & 19.
  

Regularly Scheduled Programs

Saturdays & Sundays

• At 10:30 am & 2 pm at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville join a 45-minute talk about the battles that took place on these landscapes, why they matter, and how we remember them.

• At 2 pm at Chatham, discover stories of resistance on our Sparking Freedom tour.

• Park staff are happy to give brief pop-up programs when staffing levels and circumstances allow. If you are visiting at a time when no ranger programs are scheduled, ask us if we are available to give a short program!

Self-guided audio driving tours for all four battlefields and audio walking tours of park sites are available for free on the self-guided tours page or via the official NPS App. To learn more about these and other park offerings stop by the park visitor centers and historic sites, call (540) 693-3200, or visit the Operating Hours page.

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