Sunset at Kernstown Battlefield Tour

Come join our team of highly motivated docents for the presentation titled “A Mixed (North and South) Marriage in Turbulent Times”, the story of the marriage of Samuel Reese (SR) Pritchard and Helen Johnson.

This special evening tour will start off in our Conference Center where you will be introduced to SR, a fourth generation Kernstown farmer and businessman, and his wife Helen, born and raised in New Jersey. It will include a very short walking tour around the Visitor Center area, a visit to their 1854 house and then up to Pritchard’s Hill to watch the sunset over Little North Mountain.

The tour concludes with a short visit to the family cemetery on the way back to the Conference Center where light refreshments will be served.
Please note, this tour is not our standard family/farm tour as it will be entirely focused on SR and Helen’s relatively short (1857-1875) time together in midst of the most turbulent time in the Lower Valley, where the war literally came to their door step.

Also be advised, this tour involves some walking along with one set of stairs. Golf cart assistance will be available for participants with mobility issues for the Pritchard Hill – cemetery portion of the tour.

This event is free (donations gladly accepted) and open to the public.

Light desert refreshments will be served at the conclusion of this event.
5:45pm – Meeting at Kernstown Battlefield Conference Center
6:00pm – Tour Begins

Register HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerU4jzYs5YJC3sAIt6irj65URh6OGuqkchXAEK2CuuTiYXNA/viewform

Kernstown Battlefield Walking Tour

Join us for a tour of Kernstown Battlefield, during the Battlefield Half Marathon.

The walking tour of the battlefield and Pritchard House will start immediately after the race begins. Tour attendees will gather in the large mowed grass area along the north side of the entrance road of the battlefield.

The tour will last about an hour to allow attendees to gather at the finish line to cheer on their runners. If any attendee needs to leave the tour early to meet a runner, please don’t hesitate to do so.

FREE

Register in advance

Battle of Third Winchester Commemoration

On September 21st the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation will be hosting a day of free programs commemorating the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Third Winchester.

Programs will range from a series of stationary programs at different battlefield sites, visitor center grand opening, monument dedication, living history, kids camps, and artillery demonstrations.

Schedule:
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
“Vortex of Battle”: The West Woods – Jeff Felton (SVBF)

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Living History at Star Fort

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Grand Opening of Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
“The Earth Seemed to Tremble”: Huntsberry Farm and the Middle Field – Nick Picerno (SVBF)

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Star Fort Kids Camp

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Dedication of Alabama Monument – Remarks by Robert K. Krick

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
“The Very Air Was Made to Groan”: Battle’s Attack in the Middle Field – Scott Patchan

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cannon Demonstrations Star Fort

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
“A Continuous, Deafening Wail of Musketry”: Crook’s Attack Across Red Bed Run – Scott Patchan

5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
“Like a Thousand Bricks”: Cavalry Attacks at Third Winchester – Peter Dalton

7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Preserving a Battlefield – Third Winchester – Nick Picerno

More Information and Directions

Civil War sign dedication

At 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 31, 2019, the Kernstown Battlefield Association, together with the family of Mr. Rob Pettus of Richmond, Virginia, will dedicate a new Civil War sign.

This new sign commemorates the sacrifices the Pettus and Eubank cousins made during the Battle of First Kernstown. John Overton Pettus and his cousin Philip G. Eubank were killed in action as they assaulted Union positions on Pritchard’s Hill the afternoon of March 23, 1862. Another cousin, James Francis Eubank, was captured at the end of this battle as the Confederate forces retreated in the early evening.

The Kernstown Battlefield Association appreciates the support the Pettus family has so generously provided in helping to fund the design, crafting, and installation of this new sign.

The Kernstown Battlefield Association is dedicated to preserving the history of the lower Shenandoah Valley. New signs such as this one help us interpret history with a very personal perspective.

Twilight Hike

While Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park was specifically established in 2002 to preserve and interpret the area’s cultural history, the Shenandoah Valley is rich in natural features, wildlife, and vegetation, including wildflowers.These twilight hikes, offered on May 25th (6:30 p.m.) and September 28th (5:00 p.m.) will not only explore the natural side of the park, but also discuss and practice the basics of hiking and backpacking, along with the equipment usage techniques of these hobbies.

Both programs will be led by Ranger Rick Ashbacker and begin at the Claven Lane parking area (2262 Claven Lane, Middletown, Virginia), the back entrance to the park’s “Morning Attack Trails” trails system, which includes the 8th Vermont monument. Each walk will last approximately 90 minutes, over moderate terrain. Proper walking shoes and water are recommended.

Opening Weekend at Kernstown Battlefield

Join us for opening weekend at the Kernstown Battlefield. There will be tours of the Battlefield, the 1854 Pritchard House, the Museum and the Artillery Annex. The Gift Shop also will be open. Other activities to be announced.

History at Sunset

“…there burst upon our view the appalling spectacle of a panic-stricken army…”
The William Dinges Farm (Rienzi Knoll) at Cedar Creek

Known variously as the William H. Dinges Farm, Ripple Farm or Rienzi Knoll, this historic property witnessed one of the most dramatic episodes of the Battle of Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864); the arrival of Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan following his non-stop ride from Winchester. Finding his army broken and demoralized, Sheridan rallied his troops and launched a devastating counterattack that afternoon which “snatched victory from the jaws of defeat,” turning Cedar Creek into a stunning Union triumph.

Join Park Ranger Jeff Driscoll for a special program that will allow the general public access to this property and explore its Battle of Cedar Creek history, Meet at the National Park Service Visitor Contact Station (7712 Main Street, Middletown, VA 22645). Visitors will then car-pool to the site.

Second Battle of Kernstown Tour

The Kernstown Battlefield will host a walking and driving tour for the 158th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Kernstown, the last Confederate victory in the Valley. The tour will take you to key battle locations on and around the battlefield property.

Accomplished Civil War author Scott Patchan, known for his excellent books, Shenandoah Summer and Last Battle of Winchester, will lead this tour. Come and learn more about this battle that saw 1,200 Union soldiers become casualties while the Confederates under General Jubal A. Early lost only 200 men in what Virginia Sergeant John Worsham would call the “most easily won victory” of the war.

The tour will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00pm on Saturday, July 23, 2022, starting at the battlefield’s Artillery Building where Scott will provide an overview of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Bring a bag lunch, water, and dress for the weather. There is no fee for the tour, but we do recommend that you pre-register and donations are greatly appreciated.

The tour will focus on the strategies of Generals Early and George Crook for control of the Valley. Scott will explore how General Crook completely misread the situation and brought on a devastating defeat for the Union Army. You will also walk in the footsteps of a former U. S. Vice President, two future U. S. Presidents, and a Colonel who was the grandfather of a WWII hero.

The Kernstown Battlefield is located at 610 Battle Park Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22602, located behind the Subaru dealership and next to Creekside Station on Valley Avenue. There is no entry fee for the Battlefield. As we are a 501(c)(3) all volunteer corporation, donations are graciously accepted.

Sign up for the tour here

Scottish Highland Games

The KBA and Clan Adrenalin will host a Highland Games competition on our south field. Scottish Highland warriors competed against each other between battles. They used ordinary objects in their competitions: weights, stones, hammers and tree trunks (“cabers”).

This year our July games will be expanding to include other fun activities for the whole family. Come and see these amazing athletes compete and see what other fun things we have in store for you! Bagpipers will be playing throughout the day.

Shaffer’s BBQ from Middletown will provide their food truck for refreshments throughout the day. Please bring your own chairs.

Second Battle of Kernstown Anniversary

On Wednesday, July 24th, the actual date of the Second Battle of Kernstown, the Battlefield will be open from 10 am to 4 pm.

KBA docents give tours of the Battlefield, the 1854 Pritchard House, the Museum and the Artillery Annex collections.

Free and open to the public.

kernstownbattle.org