Appomattox National Park holds 158th Anniversary of Civil War surrender
Civil War reenactors Thomas Jesse (center) and Curt Fields (right) portray Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, respectively, on the front porch of the McLean House during the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park’s 158th Anniversary of the Surrender and Freedom Day event on Saturday. Image: Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

It has been 158 years since Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox to mark the end of the American Civil War.

The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (ACHNHP) held its 158th Anniversary of the Surrender and Freedom Day, a series of events that began Friday and wraps up today.

The anniversary was highlighted by appearances and talks by Civil War reenactors, various demonstrations, and discussions of Civil War topics by ACHNHP staff and historians.

The Clover Hill Tavern Guest House was host to “Artifacts, Arts and Crafts,” featuring a museum collection of 19th Century toys that had been excavated on the Appomattox Surrender Grounds, along with a pop-up display and a hands-on arts and crafts activity in which visitors could create small toys out of clay. Museum Curator Ann Roos was on hand to educate visitors.

Civil War reenactors Thomas Jesse and Curt Fields portrayed Generals Lee and Grant, respectively, on the front porch of the McLean House and retold the events that led up to the surrender. Afterward, they and other reenactors on scene posed for photographs with visitors.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.