Appomattox ACWM Surrender Commemoration held over weekend
Third U.S. Regular Infantry reenactors demonstrate a battle charge during the Appomattox Civil War Museum Commemoration of the Surrender & Freedom Day Weekend in Appomattox. Musket rifles used were 1861 Springfield and 1853 Enfield. Image: Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

On Saturday and Sunday, the Appomattox Civil War Museum (ACWM) in Appomattox held its Commemoration of the Surrender & Freedom Day events. A steady stream of visitors from the local area, surrounding region, other states, and as far away as Great Britain, stopped by to share the experience and get a taste of Civil War history.

Among the highlights were cannon firing demonstrations by the 24th Virginia reenactors, musket firing demonstrations from the Third U.S. Regular Infantry (reenactors with the Civil War living history group), hearth cooking by the Pallas Athena Ladies and Society (reenacting the women who provided aid for Civil War soldiers), outdoor tents and fire pits, an Easter morning service with Rev. Alan Farley, and live 19th Century music.

In addition, indoor presentations were given in the conference room, including “Neither Slave, Nor Free: Voices of the Almost Emancipated of Appomattox” with local historian Rev. Al Jones, “The Confederate Peace Makers, 1865”with William C. Davis (author, historian and former executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech University), and “The 11th Virginia at Five Forks,” (a mini-gallery talk with Kevin Shroyer, president of the Lynchburg Civil War Roundtable, member of the 24th Virginia).

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.