Symposium: Why Did War Come to Petersburg? & PBF Annual Meeting

Sat Mar 08 2025 at 09:00 am to 03:30 pm UTC-05:00

103 River St, Petersburg, VA 23803, United States | Petersburg

Petersburg Battlefields Foundation
Publisher/HostPetersburg Battlefields Foundation
Symposium:  Why Did War Come to Petersburg? & PBF Annual Meeting
Advertisement
Join the Petersburg Battlefields Foundation (PBF) at Petersburg’s historic Union Station for our first symposium in honor of our 10th anniversary! Petersburg was a supply and industrial center resting on the south bank of the Appomattox River at the fall line. It was a very strategic location for the armies in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The Symposium will feature five presentations (topics & speakers):
(1) “Petersburg, Virginia: The Making of a City” – An overview of over 400 years of history in Petersburg at the falls of the Appomattox River. ** Martha Mann Atkinson, Historical Interpreter & Curator at Magnolia Grange House Museum in Chesterfield County; has spent her career working at various museums and historic sites
(2) “The Revolutionary Battle of Petersburg, 1781” - Was the Battle of Petersburg during the American Revolution a turning point or an interesting side event? ** William M. Welsh, Founding President of the American Revolution Round Table of Richmond; served in the United States Marine Corp; author; retired administrator from Montclair State University
(3) “The U.S. Military Railroad and the Petersburg Campaign: 1864-1865” – The construction and importance of the U.S. Military Railroad, which was created to assist in supplying Union troops, will be discussed. ** James Blankenship, Jr., retired from Petersburg National Battlefield (Interpreter and Park Historian and Curator) and the U.S. Army Institute of Military History; local historic preservationist
(4) “Civil War – What was the Defense of Petersburg Anyway?” – A summary of the defense of Petersburg during the siege. ** John Horn, author most recently of The Petersburg Regiment in the Civil War: A History of the 12th Virginia Infantry from John Brown’s Hanging to Appomattox, 1859-1865 (Savas Beatie), which won the 2019 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award for Unit History
(5) “Relics Reunited” – Focusing on the life story of Union officer LTC Richard S. Thompson and the relics from his Civil War military career, including his officer’s frock coat and shrapnel that caused his wounds which will be on display. ** Kenny Bage, President, Petersburg Civil War Roundtable; member and leader in a number of historical heritage groups
PBF will also hold its annual meeting during lunch, which will be catered by Firehouse Subs. We will present an Award for Preservation and Scholarship to Chris Calkins, historian, author, former Chief of Interpretation at Petersburg National Battlefield, and first Superintendent of Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park.
The venue is ADA accessible and there is free on-site parking. Space is limited. NO WALK-INS, NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR! Tickets must be purchased ahead of time BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

103 River St, Petersburg, VA 23803, United States

Tickets

USD 44.52

Discover more events by tags:

Art in PetersburgLiterary-art in Petersburg

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Petersburg

TFW Presents Fearless Friday March, "Cast Your Vision"
Fri, 07 Mar, 2025 at 07:00 pm TFW Presents Fearless Friday March, "Cast Your Vision"

1021 Halifax St

Rebuilding The Village
Sat, 08 Mar, 2025 at 10:00 am Rebuilding The Village

Petersburg Public Library

2nd Annual African American Trailblazing Women's Sneakers Ball
Sat, 08 Mar, 2025 at 06:00 pm 2nd Annual African American Trailblazing Women's Sneakers Ball

Country Club of Petersburg

HUAC of Richmond Scholarship Fundraiser and Charter Day Celebration
Sun, 09 Mar, 2025 at 01:00 pm HUAC of Richmond Scholarship Fundraiser and Charter Day Celebration

Appomattox Regional Governor’s School

Girl Scouts Meet & Greet: Dinwiddie
Tue, 11 Mar, 2025 at 05:00 pm Girl Scouts Meet & Greet: Dinwiddie

Eastside Community Enhancement Center

The Harlem Globetrotters
Tue, 11 Mar, 2025 at 07:00 pm The Harlem Globetrotters

Virginia State University - Multi-Purpose Center

Petersburg is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Petersburg Events