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Brand New Visitor Contact Station Set to Open at the Five Forks Battlefield in Dinwiddie
On October 3, 2009 Petersburg National Battlefield will unveil its new visitor contact station at the Five Forks Battlefield. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the site of the new facility which is located at 9840 Court House Road in Dinwiddie County. Guest speakers will include United States Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Deputy Regional Director Mike Reynolds of the National Park Service, Northeast Region, Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance of the Virginia House of Delegates, Mr. Donald L. Haraway, Chairman of the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors, and Chris Calkins, Park Manager at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park. Petersburg National Battlefield Superintendent Bob Kirby will provide the Opening Remarks.
The new 2,400 square-foot visitor contact station will include more exhibit space than the previous center. Parking has been greatly improved as the lot can now easily accommodate full size buses and recreational vehicles. A new 8 mile trail system will also add to the visitor experience allowing visitors a chance to see the battlefield by foot, bicycle or horse. In order to handle maintenance needs, a new 1,600 square foot maintenance facility has been constructed in the same area as the visitor contact station.
The Battle of Five Forks occurred on April 1, 1865 when Union troops under the command of General Philip Sheridan attacked Confederate soldiers being led by General George Pickett. General Pickett had been told by General Robert E. Lee to “Hold Five Forks at all hazards.” The area, located at the intersection of White Oak Road and Court House Road in Dinwiddie County, was all that stood between the Union troops and Petersburg’s last remaining supply line, the South Side Railroad. With all supply lines cut off, the Confederate troops would need to surrender Petersburg as well as Richmond. For these reasons, the Union victory at Five Forks was considered the “Waterloo of the Confederacy”. The new visitor contact station at Five Forks will stand as a tribute to the significance of the Battle of Five Forks and as an honor to the men who fought, suffered, and sacrificed on behalf of the nation they believed in.
Please join us for this special grand opening event. In addition to the guest speakers, there will be living history demonstrations and historical tours and talks which will occur throughout the entire weekend of October 3 & 4. For more information, please call ranger Tracy Chernault at (804) 265-8244 or (804) 469-4093.
Petersburg National Battlefield was established in order to commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865 and to preserve for historical purposes the breastworks, earthworks, walls or other defenses or shelters used by the armies.
On October 3, 2009 Petersburg National Battlefield will unveil its new visitor contact station at the Five Forks Battlefield. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the site of the new facility which is located at 9840 Court House Road in Dinwiddie County. Guest speakers will include United States Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Deputy Regional Director Mike Reynolds of the National Park Service, Northeast Region, Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance of the Virginia House of Delegates, Mr. Donald L. Haraway, Chairman of the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors, and Chris Calkins, Park Manager at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park. Petersburg National Battlefield Superintendent Bob Kirby will provide the Opening Remarks.
The new 2,400 square-foot visitor contact station will include more exhibit space than the previous center. Parking has been greatly improved as the lot can now easily accommodate full size buses and recreational vehicles. A new 8 mile trail system will also add to the visitor experience allowing visitors a chance to see the battlefield by foot, bicycle or horse. In order to handle maintenance needs, a new 1,600 square foot maintenance facility has been constructed in the same area as the visitor contact station.
The Battle of Five Forks occurred on April 1, 1865 when Union troops under the command of General Philip Sheridan attacked Confederate soldiers being led by General George Pickett. General Pickett had been told by General Robert E. Lee to “Hold Five Forks at all hazards.” The area, located at the intersection of White Oak Road and Court House Road in Dinwiddie County, was all that stood between the Union troops and Petersburg’s last remaining supply line, the South Side Railroad. With all supply lines cut off, the Confederate troops would need to surrender Petersburg as well as Richmond. For these reasons, the Union victory at Five Forks was considered the “Waterloo of the Confederacy”. The new visitor contact station at Five Forks will stand as a tribute to the significance of the Battle of Five Forks and as an honor to the men who fought, suffered, and sacrificed on behalf of the nation they believed in.
Please join us for this special grand opening event. In addition to the guest speakers, there will be living history demonstrations and historical tours and talks which will occur throughout the entire weekend of October 3 & 4. For more information, please call ranger Tracy Chernault at (804) 265-8244 or (804) 469-4093.
Petersburg National Battlefield was established in order to commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865 and to preserve for historical purposes the breastworks, earthworks, walls or other defenses or shelters used by the armies.
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