157th Commemoration of the Surrender event well-attended
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park Ranger Chris Bingham demonstrates the process of loading and firing a Civil War era firearm for battle. See more photos on Pages 11 and 16. Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

After a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (ACHNHP) held many of its traditional surrender anniversary events that were open to the public, and the turnout was quite good as the park’s workers and volunteers had hoped.

The 157th Commemoration of the Surrender and Freedom Day, which officially began Thursday and ended Tuesday, drew more than 1,000 visitors on its peak days of Friday through Sunday. Each program averaged between 20 and 60 people in attendance.

“It’s just wonderful to see so many people in the park and participating in programs, because we have not been able to have an anniversary the last two years,” said Robin Snyder, the park’s superintendent. “I am absolutely thrilled … We are very pleased with the turnout, and it’s so nice to see activity in the park again. We have missed that.”

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.