Petersburg National Battlefield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petersburg National Battlefield |
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Restored entrance to the mine destroyed in the Battle of the Crater
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 Petersburg National Battlefield
Location in Virginia
Petersburg National Battlefield
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southeast Virginia, USA |
| Nearest city | Petersburg, Virginia |
| Area | 2,740 acres (11.1 km2) |
| Established | July 3, 1926 |
| Visitors | 213,261 (in 2011) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Petersburg National Battlefield |
| Designated: | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference #: | 66000831 |
Petersburg National Battlefield is a special park in Virginia, USA. It helps us remember important events from the American Civil War. This park protects the places where the Siege of Petersburg happened between 1864 and 1865. The main part of the park is near the city of Petersburg, Virginia. Other parts are in nearby towns like Hopewell and counties like Prince George County and Dinwiddie County. Lots of people, over 140,000 each year, visit this park to learn about history.
Contents
Explore the Battlefield: Park Units
The Petersburg National Battlefield is made up of different areas. Each area tells a part of the story about the Siege of Petersburg.
Eastern Front: Visitor Center and Tour Road
The Eastern Front Visitor Center is the main place to start your visit. It's located east of Petersburg. Here, you can watch movies and see exhibits about the Siege of Petersburg. You can also see Battery #5, an important spot from the early days of the Siege.
After visiting the center, you can drive along the park tour road. This road takes you to important sites like Fort Stedman and The Crater. These places saw some of the biggest battles during the siege.
Five Forks Battlefield: A Turning Point
This part of the park is about 14 miles southwest of Petersburg. It's where the Battle of Five Forks took place. This battle was a huge defeat for the Confederate Army. Some people call it the "Waterloo of the Confederacy." The events here led to Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
City Point Unit: Union Army Headquarters
The City Point unit is located next to the James River in Hopewell. During the Siege of Petersburg, City Point was a very important place for the Union Army. It was a major hub for supplies and where commanders made their plans.
Poplar Grove National Cemetery: A Place of Rest
The Poplar Grove National Cemetery is also part of the Petersburg National Battlefield. This cemetery is about 8.72 acres in size. It is a place where soldiers who fought in the Civil War are buried.
Battlefield History: How it Became a Park
- The park was first created on July 3, 1926. It was called Petersburg National Military Park back then.
- It was moved from the War Department to the National Park Service on August 10, 1933.
- Its name was changed to Petersburg National Battlefield on August 24, 1962.
- It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. This means it's a very important historical site.
Images for kids
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Grant's headquarters at the City Point unit.
