Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2011

Office of the Governor
Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: 804-225-4260
Email: Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Contact: Suzanne West
Phone: 804-545-5806
Email: Swest@yesvirginia.org

Spiniello Co.
Contact: Arthur J. Caprio
Phone: 973-808-8383
Email: ajcaprio@spinielloco.com

Southside Virginia Heritage Days in Dinwiddie County
Petersburg Area Regional Tourism
Posted Date: 3/22/2010

Southside Virginia Heritage Days
Dinwiddie County
March 27th & 28th


The 14th Annual Southside Virginia Heritage Days in Dinwiddie County has added a variety of new exhibitors and living history demonstrators this year in order to give a more rounded and accurate picture of what life was like in Southside Virginia before and during the American Civil War. The event takes place Saturday, March 27th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, March 28th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Heritage Days commemorates the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Sutherland Station that took place at the site on April 2, 1865. It will feature 18tth- and 19th-century civilian and military living history demonstrations, as well as tours of the 1803 plantation house Sutherland's Tavern, also known as Fork Inn, which sits on the site.

Living History: Christmas on Appomattox Plantation
December 12th
City Point Area in Hopewell

Appomattox Plantation

On Saturday, December 12 a living history program will occur at the General Grant's Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield. At 11:00, 1:30, and 3:30 p.m. guided tours will be conducted in which visitors will be transported back to 1858. Living historians will portray actual Eppes family members and the enslaved people who lived at City Point (present day Hopewell, Virginia) and will hear the thoughts of these people as they prepare for Christmas and an uncertain future. Outside the scheduled tour times, the living historians will continue to interact with visitors from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and dress warmly.

Historically, the Grant's Headquarters Unit at City Point is well known to Civil War buffs and historians as being the center of Union operations during the Petersburg Campaign. However, the Eppes family occupied the plantation home for generations before the Civil War. Richard Eppes' description of the 1858 Christmas celebration is the most detailed of the antebellum Christmas journal entries. That Christmas, however, was less than one year away from John Brown's Harper's Ferry raid, two years away from the 1860 election which catapulted Abraham Lincoln into the Presidency, and less than three years away from the start of the American Civil War.

The General Grant's Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is located at 1001 Pecan Avenue in Hopewell. There is no fee for this program and no reservations are necessary. For more information, please call Park Ranger Emmanuel Dabney at (804) 732-3531 ext. 222.

Thursday In Old Towne continues each Thursday night through September 24th. These community events are sponsored by The Petersburg Foundation. All proceeds will go to the "Picture Petersburg" project - the revitalization and beautification of the Washington Street entrance off I-95 into the City of Petersburg. The Petersburg Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Each Thursday evening, come early to shop and dine in Old Towne. Check out discounts offered at many of Old Towne's specialty shops and restaurants.

Outside band, Castaways start playing at 7p.m. and the inside band, Faultline begins at 9:30p.m. Military discount tickets available. Gates open at 6:30p.m., rain or shine. Must be 18 years old or older to attend.

804-733-8344
Old Towne Civic Center
136 River Street
Petersburg, Virginia 23803
www.otciviccenter.com
www.oldtownepetersburg.com