Pamplin Historical Park-Civil War History Attraction
Written: Aug 20 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Civil War buff or not...you'll enjoy this!
Cons: Only that you may live too far away to visit more than once!
The Bottom Line: I enjoyed Pamplin even more than Gettysburg. It was a very educational experience. You learned more about the soldiers themselves.
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| stacyb's Full Review: Virginia |
While visiting Richmond a few weekends ago we took an afternoon to visit Pamplin Historical Park on the outskirts of Petersburg. My husband is somewhat of a Civil War buff and was really looking forward to the park.
You arrive at the park and are faced with a beautiful, domed modern museum-The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. In the grand lobby you are greeted with friendly park attendants who offer assistance in choosing our plans for the day. Little did we know we were in for a full day of history for just $12 a person. We ended up being at the park for 4 1/2 hours but could have easily spent 6-8 hours there.
The self-guided tour of the museum begins when you choose one of the thirteen Civil War soldiers to "narrate" your tour through a portable CD player with headphones. The thirteen soldiers were from various states-Union and Confederate-and they give their name, rank, and state that they hailed from.. As you walk through the museum, "your" soldier relates his experiences from when he served and explains the huge display of over one thousand original artifacts and realistic scenes from training camps to a simulated battlefield. The words of the soldiers were taken from their actual letters and/or diaries. It took about an hour to go through this museum and it was an experience that will stick with you for a long time. You seem to get to know that person and feel as if you have some sort of connection.
You'll leave the museum through the back door. I felt like I was walking onto the grounds of a southern plantation. Wide sanded paths take you from place to place throughout the rest of this 422 acre original site of the battle of April 2, 1865.
We sat for a 20 minute demonstration of a cannon firing, where a member of the park staff (dressed in full Civil War attire) explained to the group everything from the types of cannonballs used to the actual firing of the cannon. There were a total of four men giving the demonstration and it was very professionally done.
Beyond the cannon demonstration was another encampment. Join the soldiers around a small campfire (with coffee boiling over the fire) as they tell stories of their experiences and life in the camp. The camp surgeon will tell you all you want to know about his duties-from treating dysentery to amputations. He told of the outbreaks of illnesses and the types of medicines that were used to treat them. One interesting thing that he told us about was that the surgeons were more often than not "new" to the business of practicing medicine. They would be doing some of their surgeries for the first time ever and often would read the step by step instructions and illustrations from a book on how to do an amputation. Now how would you like to be cared for by him?
Twice a day a guided tour of Breakthrough Trail is offered. It's a 45 minute tour of roughly 1 1/2 miles of the battlefield. Or you can choose one of the three loops to tour on your own, ranging from 15-60 minute walks. Because of an upcoming storm, the tour guide decided it best not to even begin our walk but he did talk awhile about the specifics of the battle of April 2, 1865. On this trail was also a Winter Camp Exhibit that we didn't get to see...it will have to wait for our next visit!
Near the encampment sites was the Battlefield Center. The theater inside presents a surround-sound dramatization of the battle of April 2 that forced General Lee to evacuate Petersburg and Richmond. There's a Discovery Tent for children where they can try on uniforms and handle the equipment. Two interactive computers quiz your knowledge of the Civil War. Restrooms, water fountains, snack and pop machines, and an information desk are also in the building.
Tudor Hall Plantation was settled about 1812 by the Boisseau family on the grounds of what is now Pamplin. The plantation was occupied by Confederate troops under the leadership of General Samuel McGowen during the war. The Boisseau's returned after the war and the house was actually occupied by family members up until a few years ago. Today you can tour the house and see furnishings of the period and what it would have looked like. Costumed interpreters are on hand to demonstrate the daily routines of the period.
Back to the main building before leaving the park is the Hardtack and Coffee Cafe and a great gift shop. We bout a book, a framed print, some toy soldier sets for our kids, a music CD, and an interactive CD rom for the computer. There were other things such as Christmas ornaments, t-shirts, and much more.
The park is open from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm and is only closed on New Years Day, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving Day. The park attendants are very friendly and helpful. You are welcome to stand around and ask questions after demonstrations. Special events take place throughout the year. The next one coming up is on October 6, 2001. It is Plantation Harvest Day. There will be live period music and dance, children's farm chores and games, story telling, cooking demonstrations, and the Grand Opening of field slave quarters exhibit.
For more information reguarding Pamplin Historical Park, visit www.pamplinpark.org. They have loads of information that will entice you to visit.
This is one of those places that you'll say "the next time we visit..." NOT "if we visit again..." It's about a six and a half hour drive for us. Although we have family to stay with in nearby Richmond, we'd still visit again even if they weren't there!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
stacyb
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Location: West Virginia
Reviews written: 144
Trusted by: 171 members
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GOD BLESS AMERICA
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