Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — Attraction in Appomattox

We visited on a Monday morning in late May 2023 (Memorial Day weekend).

There was plenty of parking with only 4 or 5 other cars in the lot with us. There is a large map at the parking lot which tells you to just walk straight up to the visitor center which is located in the old court house. It's a bit of a walk up hill on a gravelly path.

You enter the visitor center on the bottom floor (follow the signs). There is a desk to your left where the park volunteers will help you with any questions you may have. The younger lady and older gentleman who greeted us seemed very eager to help. They informed us of the start time of the film in the upstairs theater as well as the program taking place outside at the next building over. We also grab our Junior Ranger booklets here at this desk.

We went up and watched the 20 min video first which was very informative and the kids enjoyed it as well and it kept their attention. There are a series of exhibits right outside the theater and basically take up the rest of the space on the upper level. There was a number of neat items on display. Back downstairs there are also bathrooms. We left quickly to the special program outside which was basically a living history presentation by 2 younger gentleman. The one giving the talk did an AMAZING job. Really play the role well and knew all the facts. Kids all listened and paid attention. It was a bit long for my 8 year old with ADHD but still very well done.

We proceeded then to the old slave house which is now the gift shop. There was plenty of merch divided into 2 rooms. I've included pictures. Then next door is the outdoor bathrooms. About diagonal to your right when you leave the store is the Meek's General Store. You basically go in and then it's a 8x8 foot glass room where you can look at the store displays. You can't walk through and really see everything.

After leaving the store turn right and head down to the McLearn House where the meeting and terms of surrender between Grant and Lee took place. This was a nice walk through tour. There were 2 rangers at the front to answer any questions. There are also houses and exhibits in the buildings out back so make sure now to miss those either.

Sadly we were on a schedule and didn't have much time to explore much further but the kids were able to complete the Junior Rangers booklets and earn their badges. Sadly the rangers didn't swear them in like usually but they were just handed over by the volunteers at the visitor desk.

For those interested in the National Park Cancellation Stamps, they are located in the NPS store to the left of the register. I've included a photo of what the station looks like. They are not located in the visitor center itself.

We would definitely visit again as we really didn't get to explore the entire town or do the self guided driving tour. We saw markers as we drove through the area but didn't get to drive and see the battle lines and the headquarters etc. I would plan to stay at least a couple hours around the grounds and maybe another 30-60 for the...

In 2015 as American Civil War reenactor, I was honored to participate in the 150th Anniversary reenactment of General Robert E Lee's surrender of his army at Appomattox Court House - on the actual national grounds! This was the first time and as far as I know the only time the US Parks and Recreation Service has ever allowed American Civil War reenactors on the actual national park grounds for a reenactment.

Being from North Carolina, our reenactment unit represented the 49th NC Troops that weekend.

A little history:

During the battle of Appomattox Court House General Lee's army was trapped by the Federal troops near Appomattox Court House, Lee to surrender his army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, precipitating the capitulation of other Confederate forces and leading to the end of the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Lee’s formal surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, brought the war in Virginia to an end. While this event is considered the most significant surrender of the Civil War, several other Confederate commanders had to capitulate and negotiate paroles and amnesty for Southern combatants before President Andrew Johnson could officially proclaim an end to the Civil War. That formal declaration occurred sixteen months after Appomattox, on August 20, 1866.

The McLean House was the setting for the meeting between Grant and Lee and Lee's actual surrender. This house was originally constructed by Charles Raine in 1848. Eliza D. Raine's estate sold the house to Wilmer McLean in 1863.

Because the First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, took place on Wilmer McLean's farm about 120 miles to the north in Virginia, it can be said that the Civil War started in McLean's backyard in 1861 and ended in his parlor in 1865.

It was my first time seeing this house and area. As a history buff and a civil war reenactor the whole weekend was a very moving experience for me. This weekend was obviously moving for others too. We did surrender reenactments on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday as I was standing in line I noticed one of the Park Rangers, who was standing among the large audience actually in tears.

If you enjoy American History I strongly advise you visit this location if you're ever in the area. To see all of the sacred grounds plan on spending a good part of your day here. If you only want to see the McLean House give yourself at least an...

We have visited most of the civil war sites so this was a great place for closure. They have several buildings to visit and a nice museum and video. I happen to be a relative of General Custer. After coming out of the video we were told the historian wished to speak with us. Custer was there for the signing and Gen. Grant gave Custer the signing table as a gift to Libby. We had a nice conversation. He had copied several documents for us and a map. This took us to a non-descrip field owned by a civil war preservation society not part of the NPS. This was Appomattox Station. Here Custer rushed with his command burned the confederate supply tain and in a set up an unconventional battle. This was the end of the Confederacy. Stopping their retreat here blocked access to the bridge they had hoped to secure. General Lee had no choice but to surrender. General Custer's brother Tom won two Congressional Medals of Honor in the fierce battles between here and Petersburg. Most people don't know this but more live were lost in the last few days of the war than at any other battle in the war. You can imagine what this meant to a close relative and history buff to stand in this place and read about the event. It was powerful just at sunset. If it hadn't been for the staff at the monument I would have...