On Saturday, June 7 the Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St, will be the site of lectures, music, and living history programs which will take visitors back in time to Civil War era Petersburg. From 10:00am-5:00pm, visitors can witness events that pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians of Petersburg who worked together to fight for the existence of a Confederate States of America.

The day’s events (click here for schedule) feature a presentation about the history of Southern Soldiers’ Aid Societies by historian Virginia Mescher. Visitors can also attend a Petersburg Aid Society meeting led by members of the Atlantic Guard Soldiers’ Aid Society.

Civil War era music will be featured throughout the day. The Liberty Hall Fifes and Drums will explain the use of martial music both on the battlefield and in wartime public demonstrations of patriotism. Music will again be the focus during a program called “Reciting and Singing the Confederacy” in which Colleen Formby will present research into the history of music written during the Civil War. Ms. Formby will perform several selections to reflect the patriotism and religious spirit of those on the home front during the war.

Uplifting speeches and poetry were two other ways in which Southern soldiers and citizens found encouragement and these too will be included in this special event. The program is sponsored by Petersburg National Battlefield and there is no charge to attend. For more information, please call park ranger Emmanuel Dabney at (804) 943-9530. Petersburg National Battlefield would like to thank the congregation of Second Presbyterian Church for their assistance and cooperation in preparing this program.

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.