The Civil War was a pivotal conflict for Virginia, not only because it was home to the Confederate capital, Richmond, but also because it was a battleground in the fight for freedom for thousands of enslaved African Americans.  Cities like Fredericksburg and Lynchburg played key roles in the war with Fredericksburg witnessing brutal combat and Lynchburg servings as a crucial supply hub.  The state saw more battles than any other, leaving the state’s economy and infrastructure in ruins.  The war ultimately led to the end of slavery in Virginia and the rest of the country bringing hope and a new, though challenging, era of freedom for formerly enslaved African Americans.

Located on the direct route between Washington, DC and Richmond, four major battles were fought in the Fredericksburg region.  Referred to as America’s Battleground by the National Park Service, the war reached an important and costly peak in this region.  It is also here in Fredericksburg where 10,000 enslaved people crossed the Rappahannock River to Union lines on their journey to freedom.

Arrive at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center where you will learn the significance of this region and its overall impacts on the War’s outcome.  Walk the Sunken Road and learn how Confederate troops, securely positioned behind the famous stone wall, dispatched more than 8,000 Union soldiers.  Explore, immersive, multi-media exhibits which portray a soldier’s life during the war, including camp life, religious life, food, medicine, amusements, uniforms and more.  Discover how war affected the lives of civilians.  Learn about how Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania’s history interconnects with Black American’s long and winding struggle for freedom in the United States.

A five-mile driving tour connects Marye’s Heights with Prospect Hill, the two areas fought over during the Battle of Fredericksburg.  Along the way visitors have the opportunity to see the remains of original Confederate earthworks, examine Civil War period cannons and learn how General Robert E. Lee had a close brush with death.  At Lee’s command post atop Lee Hill, visitors can view the city and look at battle exhibits.

After dinner, step a little further back in time with a candlelight tour of the Rising Sun Tavern.  Here you will be regaled with tales of 18th century tavern life.

Begin a full day of battlefield tours at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center.  Located 13 miles west of Fredericksburg, Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mistakenly and mortally wounded here by his own troops during the May 1863 battle known as Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory.  Museum exhibits, dioramas, and a film provide orientation to the battleground’s and war’s impacts.

Next, visit the Wilderness Battlefield.  This cataclysmic battle marks the beginning of Lee vs. Grant- 1864 Overland Campaign, the bloodiest campaign in American history and the turning point in the war.  During this fight, two generals pitted men, equipment and strategy to decide the fate of the nation.  

The Spotsylvania Courthouse Battlefield was scene to some of the most intense hand-to-hand combat of the Civil War.  The warring armies struggled for over 20 hours in a battle that became known as the Bloody Angle.  Displays and exhibits illustrate repeated Union attempts to break the Confederate fortifications around Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Conclude your day with an evening tour of the Jackson Death Site.  After Jackson’s wounding at Chancellorsville, he was brought to “Fairfield”, a slave holding plantation, where he lingered eight days before he died.  Learn how the story of Jackson’s death became central to the Lost Cause ideology and the perpetuation of a false narrative of the war set forth by former Confederates.  This false narrative sought to overlook Jackson’s own history of enslaving seven people during his lifetime and instead exaggerated his merits in order to solidify him as a Confederate martyr.

Before your journey ends, visit the Fredericksburg Area Museum.  Located in Town Hall, which dates to 1816, the Fredericksburg Area Museum tells the story of the region’s vibrant past.  Visit the museum’s newest exhibit, A Monumental Weight: The Auction Block in Fredericksburg, VA, which explores the historical and emotional significance of the slave auction block formerly located at the corner of William and Charles Streets.

Richmond played a vital role in the Civil War, serving as the headquarters of the Confederate government and witnessing brutal fighting in 1862 and 1864.  However, the war’s impact went far beyond the battles themselves. Discover the personal stories of survival and explore how the war affected the daily lives of Richmond residents.  

Begin your Civil War tour at Richmond National Battlefield Visitor Contact Station at Tredegar Iron Works.  The Center offers exhibits and audio-visual programs that introduce the story of Richmond during the Civil War, the battlefields, and related stories that surround the city.  Also located at Tredegar Iron Works is the American Civil War Museum.  A guided tour of this dazzling new museum presents the history of the Civil War equally thorough Union, Confederate, and African American perspectives.

The Dabbs House is an easy stop as you head back to Richmond.  Robert E. Lee used this house as his headquarters at the outset of the Seven Days Battles.  He held a council of war here with Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and other famous names.

Less than two blocks away from the capitol is the White House of the Confederacy.  The house occupied by the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, and his family contains many original furnishings and stories about their life during the four years of war.  

Enjoy lunch in Historic Shockoe Slip and then embark on the Belles and Battleaxes Walking Tour. A local historian provides a rollicking downtown tour of sites associated with famous…and infamous…Richmond women of the Civil War era.  

A drive out of downtown will bring you to the Shelton House.  The 1720s farmhouse has an amazing history.  Patrick Henry was married in its parlor and during the Civil War it was in the crosshairs of fierce fighting on its grounds.  The Shelton family had to “shelter in place” in the basement during the fighting. 

For the full Richmond story, The Valentine has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond Stories for over a century.  As one of the first museums in Richmond, the Valentine offers bold exhibitions and innovative tours.  Be sure to take a picture next to the President Lincoln and Tad bronze statue.  

During the American Civil War, Lynchburg was both a vital Confederate transportation and medical hub.  Lynchburg was primarily used as a hospital town, as the railroad system brought in wounded and diseased soldiers to be treated.  Just one year prior to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, the Union Army sought to capture Lynchburg but was never successful.

Located 30 minutes east of Lynchburg, today’s journey begins at the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park.  Tour the McLean House which is the meeting and surrender site of General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant.  Experience this site “Where Our Nation Reunited.” Located one mile down the road visit the American Civil War Museum – Appomattox.  Visitors can explore over 400 artifacts, photographs, and documents including the uniform and sword worn by General Robert E. Lee to surrender.  The ACWM – Appomattox provides a unique insight into the American Civil War and its legacies.

Begin your day by exploring Point of Honor, a remarkable Federal style mansion with commanding views of Downtown Lynchburg and the James River.  Learn about how this location played a significant role in General Hunter’s decision to withdraw from Lynchburg in 1864.

After lunch, travel to the Historic Sandusky Museum and Civil War Center in Lynchburg.  The estate was seized by General David Hunter during the infamous “Hunters Raid” and used as Union headquarters during the Battle of Lynchburg.  

Blocks away is the South River Quaker Meeting House, where Confederate calvary watched Federals advance on Lynchburg.  This is also the location where city founder, John Lynch, and his family are at final rest.  Fort Early’s earthworks anchored the outer defensive lines during the Battle of Lynchburg.  Peruse the interpretive maps and displays showcasing Lynchburg’s defenses here. 

Tonight, dine at the Depot Grille located on Lynchburg’s historic riverfront.  

Spend the morning at Old City Cemetery Museum & Arboretum.  The 26-acre cemetery and garden offer interactive museums showcasing Civil War-era medicine, transportation, mourning practices and more.  It is also the final resting place of 2,200 Confederate soldiers.

Consider the suggested additional stops below: 

Discover the beauty of Historic Kenmore, home of George Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis, and her husband, Fielding Lewis.  The beautiful Georgian style brick mansion contains some of the finest decorative plasterwork in the country and reflects the pre-Revolutionary War wealth and gentry status of Fielding and Betty Lewis.

Explore the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, a small museum of colonial-era medicine and pharmacy.  In the 18th century building interpreted as the Apothecary Shop, you will learn how George Washington’s friend, Dr. Hugh Mercer, served the citizens of Fredericksburg for 15 years with medicines and treatments of the period.  Learn about some of the remedies he employed such as leeches, lancets, snakeroot, and crab claws.

Just north of Fredericksburg, the National Museum of the Marine Corps will surround you with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse you in the sights and sounds of the Marines.

Explore Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.  Jefferson designed and built this unique, octagonal retreat for his personal use and once declared the Lynchburg area “The most interesting spot in Virginia.”

Now on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Houses, walk the two blocks of Lynchburg’s smallest of seven historic districts, Pierce Street Renaissance District.

Journey to nearby Bedford for the National D-Day Memorial, which pays tribute to the Allied Forces that participated in the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.