The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar; White House of the Confederacy; The American Civil War Museum at Appomattox; Scheduled Tours; Group Tours; Travel Resources; Experience. Ive read a lot about history, and living history gives a different perspective and helps one remember that building might look modern but in reality buildings from that time period are places when people have died, said Schwartz. . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Dinosaurs roamed Stafford 110 Cambridge Inn is now a tavern-restaurant; the rest of the buildings are in private hands, but can be viewed in a driving tour. Some children were even killed in battle, which shows families the immensity of what was happening in their backyard in the 1860s. Amenities: The 11th Corps is most often associated with soldiers and regiments made up of native German speakers, however, many of its regiments also were non-immigrant U.S. soldiers from NY, OH, CT, PA, WI, and MA. Displays include everything from drink bottles to china to weaponry and bullets. (The old school house it is house in is a neat architectural find too!). D.P. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. These places provide a clearer view of what happened in the county. Miles of fences, thousands of acres, and many farm houses or outbuildings were used to construct camps or feed thousands of Union campfires, that burned 24 hours a day. Threats of harming another Its that metal structure on the east side of the highway you cant miss if your driving on 95. https://www.tourstaffordva.com/attraction/stafford-civil-war-park/. What would you recommend for my second visit to the sites? It is located at 985 White Oak Road. He and two other men left town and headed toward the river and Falmouth. Outnumbered 15 to 1 by Union soldiers the winter of 1862-1863 brought suffering to Staffords civilians as well. Larger officer tents were set off to the side of the camp, while enlisted soldiers tents were small. http://npsfrsp.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/the-evolution-of-aquia-landing/, Mysteries and Conundrums: The Exodus Begins: John Washingtons Greatest Journey by John Hennessey. Event Information for Beyond the Battlefield: Civil War Walking Tour at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden in Alexandria, US on Saturday, March 25, 2023 - UpcomingEvents.com Southern Stafford's rural enclave is home to the White Oak Civil War Museum--an overwhelming labor of love built by native son D.P. Discover Stafford Countys many activities and attractions. He was 66. Stafford Civil War Park goes on my list of recommended sites when Im touring visitors around because its accessible and enjoyable for all ages and has easy and informative historical interpretation. Free WiFi, free breakfast, free parking. Post Office Box 3161 Aquia Landing changed hands in the spring of 1862. Seasons/Open Hours. Stafford County was greatly affected by the Civil War. (Musselman, 84) Newton heads out for a morning of crabbing on Potomac Creek as dawn peeks over the horizon. I sent him copies of Charlie's picture and his pension application from The Archives to add to his "library". Or are you looking forward to touring in the future? The present structure, the third church to be erected on this lot, was built in the early nineteenth century. In May 1862, Union army engineer,Colonel Herman Hauptwas ordered to restore the RF&P railroad, including rebuilding the Potomac Creek Bridge. We always visit a few times a year. High 59F. There are so many positives, I can't say it all. This was a really interesting perspective, especially to see the cannons from the other side.. This small peninsula at the confluence of the Potomac River at Potomac Creek served as an important Native American location (Petomek village) associated with the northernmost Powhatan Confederacy tribe, the Patawomecks. At the end of the conflict, Stafford suffered both financial and population losses. Federalism and Anti-Federalism. Jett called Newton one of the most honorable, humble men youd ever want to meet, and said Newton was known and respected far beyond the White Oak community in southern Stafford. Be Proactive. Still, many relics from the camp are on display. The liberty and rights of the people would be secured by common values. Share with Us. Sign Up For The Newsletter Sign Up this is not the museum for you. (Sources: Conner, Albert, 88; Musselman, 49-50). A number of these sites are in William County, Virginia, as part of the blockade of the Potomac River. There are tents set up inside to see the conditions that the soldiers lived in. In the area nearBerea Church, Union defenses were able to overtake the Confederate Cavalry, which then retreated across the Rappahannock River to Fauquier County. (Just dont climb on the trenches!) President Abraham Lincoln described Haupts bridge as nothingbut beanpoles and cornstalks. RF&P rail lines, as well as facilities at Aquia Landing, were destroyed and rebuilt several times over the course of the war. We knew there would be a good turnout, but it turned out better than what we ever imagined, said Jett. Love the cannon and the huts. Clara Barton and Walt Whitman joined in caring for thousands of wounded soldiers. The Stafford Civil War Park contains an Army of the Potomac winter camp; three large artillery batteries; segments of two corduroy roads; and a late 1700's sand stone quarry. One of the exhibits includes two hand-crafted dwellings that show how soldiers lived. the White House and U.S. Capitol. This is across Va. Route 218 from the White Oak Church and occupies the former White Oak Elementary School Over 225,000 Civil War soldiers occupied Stafford County between 1861 and 1865. A must visit for civil war buffs! (Musselman, 78-79). This is not a site a visitor would drive out of their way. The Belmont estate adjoins Falmouth. Five days later, Virginia seceded from the Union. You have permission to edit this article. It is located at 985 White Oak Road. John Washington had been working at the Shakespeare Hotel when word arrived of the Union army camping in Falmouth. phone. Out comes a little bit of Staffords history along with a picture and an address. Stafford Civil War Park is a unique place to explore the lives and history of the German-American regiments of the Army of the Potomac. There are benches along the trails! Beautifully and professionally showcased items representing civil war soldiers and their lives. I previously retired from the U.S. Navy and I am an avid motorcyclist. Ben Hall, a re-enactor of the 53rd Virginia Infantry, Company H, waits to fire the Coehorn mortar as soon as Jonathan Cox, of the 30th, Company B, is finished tamping down the charge during a demonstration of Confederate firepower during the Civil War. Suggest edits to improve what we show. No matter the size of the tents, six men usually would be living in one tent. Looking at patterns in the ground depressions or a few rocks piled together might be the starting clues that some Civil War soldiers camped here once upon a time. The best civil war collection I have ever seen! Admission for adults, $4. Stafford County has a rich Civil War history including a naval battle, cavalry skirmishes, and Union encampments. During the Civil War, the courthouse was raided by Sickles brigade in April 1862 (during which many documents were destroyed, damaged and stolen) and a number of Union headquarters and camps surrounded it in the winter of 1863. Have your child click a cherryandzoom their way to fun. The architecture, Late Federal, suggests it was constructed in the 1820s or 1830s. The term Ferry Farm related to the operative ferry which connected it to Fredericksburg. Aleks Dolzenko/ Stafford County Sun, Jonathan Cox, foreground left, of the 30th, Company B, steps back as a charge used by re-enactors fires from the Coehorn mortar during a demonstartion Saturday at the White Oak Civil War Museum in Falmouth. Stafford on the Trail to Freedom.. Located beside US Route 1 about one mile north of I-95 Exit 143, the Aquia Crucifix is open for everyone. (And a few photographs of the cold before the storm.). that is degrading to another person. During the winter of 1862-1863, the Union army had winter quarters here in Stafford County. Civil War Curriculum: Inquiry Civil War Curriculum: Inquiry; Civil War Curriculum: Inquiry; Middle School; High School; Newsletter Signup Sign up now; National Teacher Institute July 13 - 16, 2023 Learn More; Stafford, Virginia 22555 If your looking for an in depth look at the politics of the times and battle strategy etc. Theres a lot of hard work that he put into researching the day-to-day life of these soldiers, said Milde. Donnie said 'that would be me'. The economic devastation resulting from the Civil War just finished it off and it never recovered. There he spent his formative years and his mother resided. Before you read this section, please read the Antebellum Exhibit to see what Stafford was like leading up to the Civil War. Free WiFi, free breakfast, free parking. Manassas is declining to invite its own re-enactors this year. It took more than 60 years for Staffords population and economy to again reach its pre-war levels. Look at the condition these soldiers lived and fought under. Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Crandall Shifflett, Lincoln in Stafford, by Jane Hollenbeck Conner, The Life of Billy Yank: The Common Soldier of the Union, by Bell Irvin Wiley, Sinners, Saints, and Soldiers in Civil War Stafford, by Jane Hollenbeck Conner, A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom: Including Their Own Narratives of Emancipation,by David W. Blight, Stafford County in the Civil War, by Homer D. Musselman, They Called Stafford Home: The Development of Stafford County, Virginia, From 1600 Until 1865, by Jerrilyn Eby, The Union Cavalry Comes of Age: Hartwood Church to Brandy Station, 1863, by Eric J. Wittenberg, Virginia Shade: An African American History of Falmouth, Virginia, by Norman Schools, The Free Lance-Star:White Oak Museum Tells Staffords Story, by Jonas Beals. So, next time Im out for a drive. Newton was also instrumental in the establishment of the Stafford Civil War Park, which preserves part of the winter encampment site of the Union Eleventh Corps . References [ edit] ^ "National Register Information System". At about the same time, the Union army seized the steamships traveling along the Potomac and made them into gunboats. The Church was an early focal point for social and governmental interaction in Overwharton Parrish. Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Man gets 10 years in child sex abuse case in Stafford, 55 library books have been challenged in Spotsylvania schools since last year, On 'emotional' day, female wrestlers finally get to compete for their own Virginia state title, Spotsylvania man to serve nearly 5 years in molestation case, National Register Of Historic Places In Stafford County, Millions at Risk of Slipping Into Poverty as COVID-Era SNAP Benefits Set to End, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. The Civil War began April 12, 1861, with the southern, Confederate forces firing upon the Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This little museum is a great find..the artifacts that are in here is amazing! Federal, state . It's a small museum, but it's really a amazing place!! The large majority of the relics are from other people who have loaned them.. The Stafford Civil War Park contains the winter encampment site of the Federal 11th Army Corps. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Hayden are world renowned. Sun and clouds mixed. Newton, along with fellow relic hunter Glen Trimmer, worked to help preserve areas of the county that were being lost to development. The weapons of the Civil War are showcased at the White Oak Civil War Museum. Stafford Museum and Cultural Center Improve this listing All photos (6) The area 985 White Oak Rd Rt. Stafford continues to create its own history with Stafford Hospital, its Regional Airport and its own branch of the University of Mary Washington. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. It saw significant use during the Civil War as a crossing site during three Federal occupations of Stafford. UPDATED: Man stole designer sunglasses before fatal police shooting at Tysons Corner Center, UPDATED: Husband tells 911 he shot man stabbing wife, as Fairfax police investigation continues, State police trying to identify driver killed in fiery Maserati crash on I-495, Woman arrested, man wanted after children found in Woodbridge apartment with guns, drugs, Jewelry stolen in violent Sterling robbery, Final boundaries approved for new elementary school outside Manassas, Student, 12, charged with making threats toward Lake Ridge Middle School over Snapchat, Del. Man died Wednesday. It is located in the Gordonsville Historic District . Weve lost a man whos made a profound contribution to the area, said former Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde. D.P. Resources are: Virginia Museum of Natural History and Culture Draper Manuscript Collection Fredericksburg.com Definitely have written directions or plug the address into your GPS. Bothsitesare on theTrail to Freedom, opens a new window. During the Civil War, the large Union Windmill Point Hospital occupied the eastern end of the peninsula. Steamships to Washington and the railroad to Richmond allowed for easy access between the North and the South. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thanks Sarah! Countless museums dot the Virginia countryside. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The museum interprets the Civil War in Stafford County and its effects on the citizens and the land. They dismantled the camp before they left, leaving only the cemetery and commissary building. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. They will come in handy. EXPLORE COLLECTION Reynolds Business History Center Explore business records from a wide variety of related commercial, economic, legal, labor, and industrial issues. It is now a county park and accessible from US Route 1 about 0.5 miles south of I-95 Exit 143 via Coal Landing Road. The park includes historic markers, picnic tables, interpretive signs, and walking trails for a day of history and fun. Their short-term . Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. I really liked that the camp remnants are labelled and that was a really good way to start learning how to look at these type of historic sites. Website. Little has been documented on this structure. I saw an opportunity to share artifacts and I took it, said Newton. (The precise kidnapping spot is arguable between Indian Point on the peninsula and Passapatanzy further down river.) This critical time has been referred to in soldier's letters as "The Union Army's Valley Forge."  The Stafford Civil War Park preserves 3 earthen artillery fortifications, many . 703-857-0519. Five days later, Virginia seceded from the Union. Other significant Civil War sites includeChatham ManorandFerry Farm. Book direct at the Quality Inn & Suites Quantico hotel in Stafford, VA near FBI Academy and Historic Fredericksburg. A second oyster roast to support the museum had similar success. The church was in bad shape and during the Civil War a man named Mr. C.J. Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum 18035 West 1540 North Fairfield, UT 84013 (801) 768-8932. Following chemotherapy treatments and during his recovery, Newton was celebrated with an oyster roast. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Edward E. Drew Middle School, 501 Cambridge Street in Stafford, followed by funeral services. Take your family to this wonderful museum. Located at the confluence of the Potomac River and Aquia Creek at the end of Brooke Road, Captain John Smith entered Aquia Creek there in 1608, and the first permanent English settlers, the Brents, entered and settled on Brents Point (Widewater Peninsula across the creek). Please contact us if you are willing to build our collection. At the parks five stops, you can see the ruins of one of the Union Armys winter camps as well as the remains of three Union batteries, as well as those of a corduroy road and an old sandstone quarry, along with the ruins of a bridge dating to about 1837. Accessible and enjoyable by car or on foot. But now people in White Oak, a close-knit community, fear theyll be the last to earn their living on the water. It never reached as far east as Aquia Creek but did, most certainly include the Brentsville/Bristow area. Samuel P. Langley launched airplanes from Staffords shore. History lovers can explore Civil War sites in Fredericksburg . There was a problem saving your notification. This was the perfect museum for them. The museum also houses a bookstore. Grounds are kept well mowed with enough parking at all stops. Located on Aquia Creek, the quarries provided the sandstone for the White House and the original (now center section of the) U.S. Capitol, in addition to a large number of historic buildings and bridges throughout the Chesapeake region. There are several other trails and connectors that I did not have a chance to walk since daylight was fading. Afternoon Activity: We will visit the White Oak Civil War Museum at 985 White Oak . The main house, gardens, outbuildings, workshop and gallery of his work are included in this estate overlooking the historic port town of Falmouth. phone, Stafford's First Permanent English Settlers, Liberty's Sons and Birthplace of the Bill of Rights, Second Federal (Union) Occupation and "Valley Forge" Period, Third Federal (Union) Occupation and Reconstruction. It is located beside Union Church. We are looking for documents, photographs, letters, and diaries that we can scan and return to you. 400 Mount Hope Church Road, Stafford, VA 22554. racist or sexually-oriented language. A National Historic Landmark, this 18th century estate was the 20th century home of artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It is operated by the University of Mary Washington. . The building housing the six-room museum was originally a schoolhouse that both Newton and his mother attended years earlier. Civil War Relics Original OUTSTANDING Civil War Excavated Relic U.S. Maybe in August! Chance of rain 60%. The town was quite prosperous from its creation in 1728 until the late 1840s or early 1850s. Trust the signs. The article reported Newtons greatest thrill was having children running through the halls of the museum, asking questions about the extensive collection of Civil War artifacts. This church, organized in 1789, was first known as White Oak Church of Christ but changed its name in the 1830s in opposition to Baptists straying from original doctrines. Learn more about Staffords Civil War sites and county history by reviewing these resources. The majority of sites in the Park are linked to the Union Army of the Potomac's 11th Corps' 1st and 3rd Divisions. Amazing. He and his family started checking the lands wher they lived. A very interesting museum with lots of civil war relics. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Look up when he will have reinactors outside. You can cancel at any time. After the war he returned to Stafford and later served as sheriff of the county. You may have followed an old link. Today you can visit Aquia Landing as well as the ruins of the old Potomac Creek Bridge. Piles of bullets are displayed along with some the rifles and pistols used by soldiers of both sides. 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