Chris Calkins, National Park Service veteran and renowned Civil War author, will give a talk on September 12, 2008, at 7 p.m., on the development and importance of the railroad in Petersburg before and during the Civil War. The program, rescheduled from its original date in May, will occur during Friday for the Arts! in Old Towne Petersburg.

“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 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 programs on the history of the city organized by the Historic Petersburg Foundation. The next program will take place on November 20, 2008 with noted Civil War historian and author A. Wilson Greene.

Admission is free, and no reservations are required. Maps will be provided.

Chris Calkins is the Chief of Interpretation at the Petersburg National Battlefield and the Park Manager at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park. 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 working to lead the preservation and restoration of Petersburg’s historic architecture and neighborhoods and to tell their story.

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