Chris Calkins, National Park Service veteran and renowned Civil War author, will give a talk on May 1 at 7pm on the development and importance of the railroad in Petersburg before and during the Civil War. Maps will be provided.

“The Military Importance of Petersburg Railroads During the Civil War” will fittingly take place at the Southside Depot on River Street in Old Towne Petersburg behind the Farmer’s Market. This railroad station was built in 1854-1855 and is believed to be the oldest surviving antebellum railroad station in Virginia. It was a prime target of Union forces during the Siege of Petersburg and still has the remains of several cannonball fractures in its roof support beams.

The presentation is sponsored by the Historic Petersburg Foundation, the City of Petersburg and Petersburg National Battlefield and is part of an on-going series of educational talks on the history of the city organized by the Historic Petersburg Foundation.

Admission is free, and no reservations are required.

Chris Calkins is the Chief of Interpretation at the Petersburg National Battlefield. He has been with the National Park Service for 32 years and has authored 12 publications, numerous articles and spoken nationally to many Civil War and preservation groups. He is the author of the highly acclaimed “Lee’s Retreat” driving tour, much of which is about the City of Petersburg.

HPF is a 41-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a catalyst in the preservation and development of Petersburg’s historic neighborhoods and commercial areas and promoting widespread knowledge of the city’s unique architectural and historical heritage.

For more information on the presentation, call HPF at (804) 732-2096.