News Release

Luminaries-rescheduled

Luminary Program

NPS

News Release Date: April 9, 2018

Contact: Robin Snyder, 434-352-8987 ext. 222

Appomattox Court House NHP News
April 9, 2018
Contact: Robin Snyder Release
Date: Immediate
Phone No: 434-352-8987 ext. 222
Appomattox Court House NHP Presents Luminary Program This Saturday, April 14 Village Lined with 4600 Luminaries in Recognition of those Emancipated Appomattox, Va. – The Park’s annual luminary program will be held this Saturday, April 14th at sunset. The luminaries will have their best effect beginning at 8:00 p.m. It was originally scheduled for April 7 but was postponed due to the weather. Park grounds will remain open late to allow visitors to experience this powerful landscape. Following the tradition established at the 150th Anniversary in 2015, 4,600 luminaries will line the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road representing each person in Appomattox County who was emancipated as a result of the surrender.

Thanks to the research efforts of a team led by Reverend Al Jones, more than 3,700 names of those 4,600 who were emancipated have been collected using census and death records. Thanks also to volunteers from Farmer’s Bank of Appomattox and the other community members, these names have been written on the bags. “When you walk along the Stage Road the luminaries are beautiful but when you recognize so many of the family names it begins to feel personal,” observed Mrs. Ora McCoy of the Carver-Price Legacy Museum.

Volunteers are also welcomed to help with this event. Anyone interested in helping to set up the luminaries may report to the Park at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. There’s also an opportunity to help clean up by reporting to the Park at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 15. For questions about volunteering, please contact the Park Volunteer Coordinator Alyssa Holland at [e-mail] or at 434-352-8987 ext. 234.

“The luminaries are spectacular and contemplative. They represent a powerful message about the effect of the surrender meeting on the nation and millions of enslaved persons across the United States. The fact that April 9th was known as Emancipation Day is a story that we are sharing through this program,” said Park Superintendent, Robin Snyder. “We hope you will take a few minutes to stop by the park and experience the luminaries.”