Indoor Activities

Visitor center exhibits provide many ways to learn about the battles.

NPS Photo

 

Visit Indoors

If it's raining and you need a place to go or if you are coming back from a long hike and need to cool off in the air conditioning, the park's historic structures and visitor centers provide options for staying inside and connecting with the history that the park protects.

Note: While park grounds are always open sunrise to sunset, the availability of indoor activities depends on the current park schedule. Make sure to check out the Operations & Seasons page for current hours and services.

Talk to a Ranger

Orientation

When our visitor centers and historic buildings are open, park staff are available to answer questions, provide guidance for how to make the most of your visit, and discuss the history that the park protects. 
 

Ancestor Research

Park staff at the visitor centers can also help you trace ancestors who fought on the battlefield, utilizing a variety of maps and sources to gain an understanding of where your ancestor was during the battle and the events they participated in.

Exhibits & Historic Buildings

Visit exhibits to learn more about the battlefields and the history of Civil War. Park exhibits contain artifacts, interactives, and interpretive panels that give context to the grounds. The interiors of most of the historic buildings are set up with exhibits, though a small number of rooms are furnished. Park exhibits are in the following locations:

• Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center: Exhibits cover the events leading up to, during, and after the Battle of Fredericksburg.
• Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center: Exhibits cover the Battles of Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. 
• Chatham Manor (open seasonally): Exhibits in the first floor of the house tell the history of Chatham's owners and the going-ons around the house during the Battle of Fredericksburg.
• Ellwood Manor (open seasonally): The interior of Ellwood Manor covers the history of the house, the home's use as a field hospital and headquarters, and an overview of the beginning of the Overland Campaign.
• Jackson Death Site (open seasonally): The first floor of the Jackson Death Site is open to visitors and contains an entrance foyer and two rooms, one furnished as a waiting room, one furnished as it may have looked when Jackson died there.

Park Films

The park shows a 22-minute film at each visitor center and a 14-minute film at Chatham. Park films are also available to watch online.

Junior Ranger Programs

Become a Junior Ranger at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP! Our park has four booklets of activities available for kids of all ages (one for each battlefield: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania). After completing each booklet, Junior Rangers receive a patch to mark their accomplishment. Earn all four rockers to complete your set.

Pick up Junior Ranger books at either the Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center or download the books online. Visit the Junior Ranger page to learn more.

Shop

The park store, managed by America's National Parks^TM, contains educational products, books, and souvenirs. Stores are located at four different locations within the park - at Fredericksburg across the parking lot from the visitor center, within the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, inside Chatham Manor, and at the Jackson Death Site. Learn more about the Park Store.

 

Visit Park Buildings

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  Visitor Centers

  Learn about the two visitor centers at the park.

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  Historic Buildings

  Explore historic buildings in the park, open seasonally.

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  Park Store

  The park store at the Fredericksburg Battlefield is open. Visit today or check out the selection online.