Petersburg National Battlefield to host living history events throughout fall

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Petersburg National Battlefield will host a variety of living history events throughout fall, featuring demonstrations and programs.

September

On Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, living historians portraying the 124th New York and U.S. Army Signal Corps will be encamped at the Eastern Front Visitor Center.

Throughout the weekend, the National Park Service said attendees will be able to watch demonstrations and programs depicting life for the common soldiers during the siege and how the use of signal flags reportedly revolutionized communication on the battlefield.

The programs will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The service said the Eastern Front unit of the park can be accessed at the Eastern Front Visitor Center located at 5001 Siege Road in Petersburg.

October

On Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5, living historians portraying General Ulysses S. Grant and his staff will set up their headquarters at the park's City Point unit, just as they did in 1864.

Visitors will be able to interact with the living historians and learn more about the unit.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Grant's Headquarters unit is located at 1001 Pecan Avenue in Hopewell.

A full schedule with more details for both programs will be released later, with updates posted on the park's webpage and social media. Both events are free and weather permitting.