Richmond National Battlefield Park

Richmond National Battlefield Park The official Facebook site for Richmond National Battlefield Park. Welcome to the Richmond National Battlefield Park page. Department of Interior.

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INTERNATIONAL BATH DAY.It’s International Bath Day.. During the battle of White Oak Swamp on June 30, 1862, U.S. General...
06/13/2026

INTERNATIONAL BATH DAY.

It’s International Bath Day.. During the battle of White Oak Swamp on June 30, 1862, U.S. General William F. “Baldy” Smith thought he could take a break for a quiet bath.

The federal troops were moving from Savage's Station, going south towards Malvern Hill and the James River. The weather was warm and humid. Smith commanded a division of infantry in the Sixth Corps. They had crossed White Oak Swamp and deployed on the south bank, with Stonewall Jackson’s troops pursuing them. Just after noon, Smith took advantage of a lull to take a bath at the Britton Farm. Soon, Confederate shells began raining down. He quickly dressed in what he described as “dignified haste.” If you take a bath today, we hope you enjoy it more than General Smith.



[Images: 1865 Map of White Oak Swamp, from National Archives; General William F. Smith, Library of Congress]

EVENT UPDATE: Please note, tonight's "Lectures on the Lawn" presentation will take place at its alternate location, Enon...
06/11/2026

EVENT UPDATE: Please note, tonight's "Lectures on the Lawn" presentation will take place at its alternate location, Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Studley Road, and not at Rural Plains. We hope to see you there!

DAILY RANGER TALKS at COLD HARBORRichmond National Battlefield offers daily, 15-minute battlefield orientation talks, le...
06/10/2026

DAILY RANGER TALKS at COLD HARBOR

Richmond National Battlefield offers daily, 15-minute battlefield orientation talks, led by a park ranger at the Cold Harbor visitor center at 10am, 11am, and 1pm.

Battlefield introduction talks begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111.

[Image: Tour at Cold Harbor, NPS photo]

Thursday continues our “Lectures on the Lawn” series of outdoor talks at the Shelton House (at the Totopotomoy Creek Bat...
06/08/2026

Thursday continues our “Lectures on the Lawn” series of outdoor talks at the Shelton House (at the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield). This week, join Stephen Wilson for “St. John’s Church, Patrick Henry, and Liberty or Death: A Closer Look.” Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech in Richmond in 1775 was a turning point in the struggle for independence. That day, Henry stood out in a large assembly of charismatic leaders, many of who arrived with dramatically different agendas than he had. Stephen Wilson of the St. John’s Church Foundation provides an inside look at the men who gathered there, the paths that

led them there and why Henry’s pleas prevailed (barely) in the crucial vote for self-determination. The lectures begin at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Shelton House, located at 7273 Studley Road in Rural Plains. Talks are free and open to the public. Picnic suppers are encouraged! (Rain location: Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Studley Road.)

A Reminder of our tours and demonstrations at Cold Harbor Battlefield this weekend - June 6. It will be HOT this weekend...
06/04/2026

A Reminder of our tours and demonstrations at Cold Harbor Battlefield this weekend - June 6. It will be HOT this weekend, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, bring water, and drink it!
Artillery demonstrations are scheduled for 11 am and 1pm. The 2 pm ranger-guided walking tour will be one hour instead of two, to keep us all safe and comfortable in the hot weather.

Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center,
5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville.
We'll see you there!

Today begins our “Lectures on the Lawn” series of outdoor talks at the Shelton House (at the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefie...
06/04/2026

Today begins our “Lectures on the Lawn” series of outdoor talks at the Shelton House (at the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield). This week, join Jon Kukla for “How Sunk is Britain!” Virginia’s Turn to Independence, Spring 1776. In late 1775, Virginia’s defiance of Britain had not yet matured into a commitment to independence. That changed in early 1776, especially after Governor Dunmore’s artillery triggered the New Year’s Day Fire that destroyed Norfolk. (The Declaration of Independence refers obliquely to this incident with the statement that King George had “ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns…”). “How sunk is Britain!” declared one essay.

Kukla explores how many formerly loyal Virginians, under the leadership of Patrick Henry and others, embraced separation as members of the “United Colonies” by June 1776. Historian Jon Kukla is the widely acclaimed author of numerous books, including Patrick Henry, Champion of Liberty and Mr. Jefferson’s Women. The lectures begin at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Shelton House, which is located at Rural Plains on 7273 Studley Road. The events are free and open to the public. Picnic suppers are encouraged!

(Rain location: Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Studley Road.)

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES.On May 31, 1862, United States Army forces were nearing the Confederate capital of Richmond. One c...
05/31/2026

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES.

On May 31, 1862, United States Army forces were nearing the Confederate capital of Richmond. One corps of about 17,000 US soldiers was isolated on the south side of the Chickahominy River as they approached. Joseph E. Johnston, the Confederate commander in charge of defending the Confederate capital, decided to attack them.

The two-day battle at Seven Pines was inconclusive for the Confederates and United States forces, but it had one far reaching consequence. Confederate commander Joseph E. Johnston was wounded and needed to be replaced. A new leader was selected from among the Confederate generals who were near at hand and available to assume command – Robert E. Lee. The selection of a new commander after the Battle of Seven Pines would profoundly affect the next three years of the Civil War.

[Image: Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, from the Library of Congress]

On June 6, Richmond National Battlefield Park will two special programs on Saturday June 6 at Cold Harbor battlefield to...
05/30/2026

On June 6, Richmond National Battlefield Park will two special programs on Saturday June 6 at Cold Harbor battlefield to commemorate the 1864 battle. At 11 am and 1 pm there will be an artillery demonstration and discussion of artillery in the battle. At 2 pm there will be a ranger guided tour, titled "Surviving Cold Harbor" focused on the experience of soldiers. The walking tour will be 1.5 miles and cover uneven ground, and last two hours.

All programs will start at the visitor center: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. The Cold Harbor visitor center will be open from 9 am to 4:30 pm with films, exhibits, and bookstore.

[Image: A park ranger leads a tour at the Cold Harbor battlefield, NPS]

BATTLE OF TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK.After choosing not to initiate a full battle at the North Anna River from May 23-26, 1864, U...
05/29/2026

BATTLE OF TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK.

After choosing not to initiate a full battle at the North Anna River from May 23-26, 1864, Ulysses Grant shifted the Army of the Potomac east and south, where it met the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at Totopotomoy Creek on May 28.

As before, Grant determined that US forces could not outmaneuver and successfully engage the Confederates at Totopotmoy Creek. After occupying the position there for three days, the armies disengaged and moved on the next place they would meet and fully engage – Cold Harbor.

Richmond National Battlefield Park preserves a portion of the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield which includes walking trails, preserved entrenchments, and the historic Shelton House, at 7273 Studley Road in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

[Image: Artist’s depiction of United States army soldiers attacking Confederate positions across Totopotmoy Creek. NPS]

05/24/2026

The Shelton House at the Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield will be closed for tours today - Sunday, May 24.

Address

Richmond, VA
23223

Telephone

+18042261981

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