Richmond National Battlefield Park

On April 4, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln arrived in Richmond, only a day after its occupation by the United States Army. What occurred during this visit has been one of the most mythologized events of the Civil War.

Join a Park Ranger as we retrace the steps of this “strange presidential entry” to separate fact from fiction and examine the event in a larger context. The tour is free of charge, and will meet in the paved area at 17th and Dock Street (in front of the Flood Wall). There are many nearby parking options. Be prepared to walk approximately two miles on city streets, half of which is uphill. People with mobility issues will have difficulties with this tour. The tour will begin at 10 a.m. last approximately three hours.

Park Day - Volunteer Clean Up at Malvern Hill -
This volunteer event is being held in partnership with American Battlefield Trust and Capital Region Land Conservancy 


Meeting place
Volunteers will meet at a farm gate near the intersection of Willis Church and Carters Mill roads (37°24'37.3"N 77°14'57.3"W). Parking will be in the field along the farm road. Project site will be a short walk from the cars.

Accessibility considerations:
Does the site have accessible parking?
No

The Rural Plains Foundation and the National Park Service are pleased to an-nounce the 2025 “Lectures on the Lawn” series for 2025. Join us on three consecutive Thursday evenings in June at the Shelton House in Hanover County, part of the Totopoptomy Creek Battlefield unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park.

Jon Kukla: “How Sunk is Britain!”: Virginia’s Turn to Independence, Spring 1776

Virginia’s defiance of Britain had not yet, in late 1775, become commitment to independ-ence. That changed in early 1776, especially after Governor Dunmore’s artillery triggered the New Year’s Day Fire that destroyed Norfolk (reflected in the Declaration of Inde-pendence statement that King George had “ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns…”). “How sunk is Britain!” declared one essay. In his talk, Jon explores how by June 1776 many formerly loyal Virginians, under the leadership of Patrick Henry and others, em-braced separation as members of the “United Colonies”.

Historian Jon Kukla is the widely-acclaimed author of numerous books, including Patrick Henry, Champion of Liberty and Mr. Jefferson’s Women.

The lectures begin at 6:30 on the lawn in front of the Shelton House at Rural Plains, located at 7273 Studley Road. They are free and open to the public - picnic suppers are encouraged! (Rain location: Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Studley Road.)

The park is offering two special programs on Saturday June 6 at Cold Harbor battlefield to commemorate the 1864 battle. At 11 am and 1 pm there will be an artillery demonstration and discussion of artillery in the battle. At 2 pm there will be a ranger guided tour focused on the experience of soldiers. The walking tour will be 1.5 miles and cover uneven ground, and last two hours.

All programs will start at the visitor center: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. The Cold Harbor visitor center will be open from 9 am to 4:30 pm with films, exhibits, and bookstore.

Richmond National Battlefield offers daily, 15-minute battlefield orientation talks, led by a park ranger at the Cold Harbor visitor center at 10am, 11am, and 1pm.

Battlefield introduction talks begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5015 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111.

Richmond National Battlefield offers daily, 15-minute battlefield orientation talks, led by a park ranger at the Cold Harbor visitor center at 10am, 11am, and 1pm.

Battlefield introduction talks begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5015 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111.

Richmond National Battlefield offers daily, 15-minute battlefield orientation talks, led by a park ranger at the Cold Harbor visitor center at 10am, 11am, and 1pm.

Battlefield introduction talks begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5015 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111.