Petersburg Department of Tourism and Petersburg National Battlefield will offer a special auto caravan tour on Saturday, September 19, 2015. The three-hour tour will begin at 10:00 am at the Blandford Cemetery Reception Center and concludes at Poplar Grove National Cemetery. The program will explore the differences in Petersburg’s two main Civil War cemeteries.
About the area’s Civil War cemeteries
In 1866 The Ladies Memorial Association was created to ensure that Confederate soldiers who died during the 292 day siege of Petersburg would receive proper burials at the Blandford Cemetery. That same year the federal government established national cemeteries like Poplar Grove to provide burials for Union soldiers who died during the siege.
If you go
The tour begins at the Blandford Cemetery Reception Center located on Rochelle Lane in Petersburg. Following a walking tour of historic Blandford Cemetery, attendees will then caravan in their own vehicles to the Poplar Grove National Cemetery located at 8005 Vaughan Road where the tour should finish by about 1:00 pm. The history of each cemetery, as well as its points of interest, will be highlighted at each stop. Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras as both cemeteries have a unique beauty and wealth of photo opportunities. You are also encouraged to bring water, dress for the weather, and wear comfortable shoes.
For questions or additional information please call the tour leaders, Martha Atkinson at the Blandford Church Reception Center, 733-2396 or Ranger Betsy Dinger at Petersburg National Battlefield at 732-3531, ext. 208.