News Release

Archeology Day 2022

Student use a trainer to search for artifacts.

NPS

News Release Date: October 6, 2022

Contact: Emmanuel Dabney, [phone], ext. 305

Contact: Alexis Morris, [phone]

Petersburg, VA – On October 22, Petersburg National Battlefield will host an archeology program for Virginia Archeology Month. The free event is from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm at the General Grant’s Headquarters at City Point unit located at 1001 Pecan Avenue in Hopewell. The park’s curator will have artifacts recovered from Grant’s Cabin on display and visitors will be able to ask questions about the archeology that took place there in 1982. The park archeologist will also have a hands-on activity for kids.

In addition to the October 22 event, fans of Petersburg National Battlefield’s Facebook and Instagram pages will find daily posts highlighting archeology and artifacts within the battlefield. The public can also try their hand at, “What is that Wednesday?”. Each Wednesday in October, we’ll feature a different artifact giving our Facebook and Instagram followers a chance to identify the object. For more information about this event, please contact park curator Emmanuel Dabney at [phone], ext. 305, [e-mail] or park archeologist Alexis Morris at [phone] ext. 304, [e-mail].

Virginia Archeology Month During Archeology Month museums, historical sites, collections facilities, and libraries host a variety of events that celebrate and highlight the achievements of archeology and educate the public about the different facets of the profession. For more about Virginia Archeology Month please see the Virginia Department of Historic Resources website: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/blog/virginia-archaeology-month-2022/.

If You Go                                                                    
The General Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is where Ulysses S. Grant made his headquarters during the 292-day siege of Petersburg. Signage focuses on the area’s importance to the Union army as one of the largest supply bases in the nation, as well as the lives of civilians, free and enslaved, who lived and worked at Appomattox Plantation prior to the Civil War. The visitor contact station is open seasonally when staffing permits.

Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors. For more information about events at Petersburg National Battlefield, visit our website at www.nps.gov/pete, become a follower on our Facebook page, Instagram account, or follow us on Twitter @PetersburgNPS.