On April 9th, 1865, as the hands of peace finally swept over the opposing armies at Appomattox Court House, news of Robert E. Lee’s capitulation reached the City of Lynchburg some 22 miles away. This information brought chaos to the City of Seven Hills as fires erupted, looting became widespread, and Confederate forces struggled to instill calm in their citizens. With civil unrest undermining any organized resistance, Lynchburg surrendered to Federal authorities on April 12.
Here, the Hill City began the long process of reconstruction; a trial that was at times healing, but often just as fiery and violent as the war itself. For years, Lynchburg would wrestle with the outcome of the war as Confederate veterans, Union occupation troops, emancipated African-Americans, and citizens of all classes attempted to rebuild the city in their own way.
Join APPS Treasurer Keith Harvey on this 2.5 hour guided walking tour as we explore first hand accounts and sites related to the end of the war and Reconstruction in Lynchburg, Virginia. Sites include Miller Park (Camp Davis), the site of Latham's Battery Gun House, Lynchburg City Reservoir, Court Street Baptist Church, Warwick House, The Lynchburg Museum (former city courthouse and Federal Provost Guard Headquarters), and more. The last stop will also include a special viewing of a rarely seen Civil War & Reconstruction Era artifact from the collection of the Lynchburg Museum System.
There will be approximately three miles of driving from Miller Park to The Lynchburg Museum. Carpooling is recommended as close-in parking will be available on a first come first serve basis. After part one of the tour at Miller Park, the group will convoy to the Lynchburg Museum where part two of the tour will begin and end. Both Miller Park and the Lynchburg Museum have public restrooms and water fountains.
Date: April 26, 2025
Time: 2:00-4:30 pm
Start Location: 400 Grove Street Lynchburg, VA 24501 (Miller Park Aviary)
End Location: 901 Court Street Lynchburg, VA 24504 (The Lynchburg Museum)
Price: Members Free, Non-Member Adults $15, Non-Member Under 18 $5