Living historians will be present during two consecutive weekends at the Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield:
1) Meet General and Mrs. Julia Grant at the Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield
2) Jack Tars at City Point – The Navy Side of the Siege of Petersburg



1) Meet General and Mrs. Julia Grant at the Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield

On Labor Day weekend, August 30 & 31, General Grant and his wife Julia will welcome guests to the area of Grant’s Headquarters at City Point, present day Hopewell, Virginia. At 10:30 a.m. on both days, General Grant will discuss his experiences leading the entire Union Army while headquartered at City Point. Following that program, at 12:00 p.m., visitors will have an opportunity to get to know General and Mrs. Grant personally as they talk about their life together from the time they met to war time and post war. At 2:00 p.m. Julia Grant will present “Fashions of the Period” which will be presented inside the Appomattox Plantation house. Mrs. Grant will present the days’ final program, “A Letter to my Granddaughter”, a moving presentation which reflects on her late husband and the lasting bond between the two. Lending support to the General throughout the weekend will be members of the 63rd New York Infantry.

Portraying General Grant and Mrs. Grant are the nationally known living historians Larry and Constance Clowers. The Clowers have been portraying the Grants for several years and were recent guests at the Pentagon. Constance Clowers is a master seamstress whose knowledge is very apparent when she speaks of Civil War era fashions. They have presented their performances to school children and adults alike, reaching audiences from coast to coast using a combination of entertainment and education to motivate and fascinate.

There is no charge for this program. The Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is located at 1001 Pecan Avenue at the junction of Cedar Lane and Pecan Avenue in Hopewell, Virginia. For more information, please call park ranger Ann Blumenschine at (804) 732-3531 ext. 203.


2) Jack Tars at City Point – The Navy Side of the Siege of Petersburg

Petersburg National Battlefield examines the role of the U.S. Navy during the Siege of Petersburg on the weekend of September 6, 2008. Sailors of the Union Navy will come ashore at City Point, present day Hopewell, Virginia, and living history demonstrations will occur on Saturday from 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Although the area is best known as the location of General Grant’s headquarters during the siege of Petersburg (1864-65), City Point was also the site of one of the busiest ports in the world at the peak of the campaign. Naval ships, big and small, powerful and not so powerful, patrolled the Appomattox and James Rivers and anchored off City Point.

Sailors carried out their duties operating and maintaining their vessels, drilling, and fighting when needed. They cooked their meals, washed their clothes, and passed their leisure in time honored nautical routine.

Living historians of the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association will portray sailors of the United States Navy stationed on the Union ships that protected and supported the Union armies around Petersburg and Richmond. Watch and learn as they carry out their duties, living, working, and resting. See them demonstrate marlinspike seamanship, navigation, infantry and artillery drill.

Musket and artillery firing demonstrations will echo out over the James and Appomattox Rivers. Sea chanties and music will show how sailors made their lives easier and reduced the monotony of life at sea.

This free event will be held at the Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield located at 1001 Pecan Avenue, Hopewell, VA, 23860. For more information, contact ranger Randy Watkins at (804) 732-3531 ext. 205.

Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors.