The park will begin taking education field trip and traveling trunk reservations on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023.
Education staff will work with you to design the perfect field trip to cover your curriculum needs.
NPS
Richmond National Battlefield Park offers a variety of ranger-guided education programs that are well organized, informative and engaging. These programs will help your students gain a greater understanding of the cultural and natural resources of this national park, enhance your classroom instruction and fulfill the Virginia Standards of Learning objectives. We can also provide ranger visits to schools for education programs, events, career days, etc.
All programs are free, but require a reservation. Reservations fill up quickly, please book as soon as possible.
All reservations must be made prior to your visit. In order to make reservations, please follow the steps listed below:
Select a program that matches your curriculum needs or course of study.
Prepare a list of 3 possible dates for your field trip.
Give the following information: name of school, contact person, phone number, grade level, number of students, program, date and time.
Your reservation will be recorded
To ensure that the field trips meet the needs of your school, we will only be taking reservations for field trips by phone or email.
RICHMOND NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK - EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Cannon's Roar (4th - 12th grade)
Artillery played a critical role in the Civil War. To understand the importance of cannon and the teamwork necessary to operate them, students role-play an 8-member artillery crew with historically accurate equipment in this 30 minute program. Students will investigate and explore a cannon that was made at Tredegar Iron Works and used during the Civil War.
SOLs: History VS.1(c,d,e,f,g), VS.7(a,b,c), VS.8(c), USI.1(b,d,i), USI.9(d,f), USII.1(b,d,i), VUS.1(c,d,i),VUS.7(b)
This program is available at the following locations: GAINES' MILL, FORT HARRISON
The Common Soldier of the Civil War (4th - 12th grade)
In this 30-45 minute presentation, a National Park Service Ranger provides a duffel bag of Civil War uniforms, equipment and items related to the everyday life of the common soldier. Students hear the stories of Union and Confederate soldiers who fought around the Richmond area as well as other major battles of the Civil War.
SOLs: History VS.1(a,e,f,g), VS.7(b,c), USI.1(b,d,i), USI.9(c,d,f), VUS.7(b,e)
This program is available at the following locations: GAINES' MILL, FORT HARRISON
Civil War Engineering (4th - 12th grade)
This 1 hour program is designed to elaborate on the importance of army engineers to the battlefield. While visiting Fort Harrison or Cold Harbor, students learn the techniques used to build the earthworks, create obstructions and the 19th century technology that helped both sides during the war.
This program is available at the following locations: COLD HARBOR, FORT HARRISON
On to Richmond (4th-6th grade)
When Richmond was made the capital of the Confederate States of America in 1861, its capture became one of the primary goals of the Union. Two assaults – the Peninsula Campaign of 1862 and the Overland Campaign of 1864 – brought Union troops within sight of Richmond. Students will tour two battlefields, Gaines Mill part of the Seven Days Battles and Cold Harbor part of the Overland Campaign. At Gaines Mill students will learn as they hike the battlefield about the Seven Days Battles and the key people during 1862. Artillery played an important role during this battle, students will work as a team to drill as an artillery team. After students complete the two programs at Gaines Mill they will load on their buses and travel 1 mile to Cold Harbor Battlefield. At Cold Harbor students will eat their picnic lunch then continue their journey through the Civil War to 1864 learning about the key people and this important battle. Students will tour the battlefield seeing the earthworks and hear the stories of both Union and Confederate troops and students will learn about the five deadliest items of the Civil War. This completely outdoors and hands on program takes two and half hours. No more than 120 students at one time.
This program is available at the following locations: COLD HARBOR, GAINES' MILL
Storming the Fort (4th-6th grade)
In September of 1864, Union forces crossed the James River, attacked Fort Harrison and captured it. Students will be able to follow in the footsteps of these soldiers as they hike inside the fort and learn how the battle unfolded. The stories of men who lived at the fort will come alive as students see the well, touch and hold items such as uniforms, hardtack, and photographs of fort life. The key leaders of both the Union and the Confederacy will also be identified. After touring the entire fort, the students will understand how the Union victory at Fort Harrison helped bring an end to the American Civil War. Artillery played an important role during the battle. Students will learn the operations of for firing a cannon. Preserving the fort is a big job for the National Park Service. Students will learn about erosion and how to control it with a short hands field biologist experience. This completely outdoors and hands on program takes two and half hours. No more than 120 students at one time.
This program is available at: FORT HARRISON
Battlefield Tours (4th - 12th grade)
Schools are encouraged to visit the battlefields for a 1 hour tour of the site. Each tour will cover the specifics of the battle, stories of individual soldiers, the landscape and the civilians caught in the crossfire.
This program is available at the following locations:
COLD HARBOR, GAINES' MILL, FORT HARRISON, MALVERN HILL
Museum Tour at Chimborazo
This program provides an overview of medical practices during the Civil War and and of the operation of the Confederate hospital facility at Chimborazo.
This program is available at:
CHIMBORAZO
Facilities on Premises:
Restrooms/ Picnic area including tables and water fountain.
Please bring trash bags for clean-up.
Bookstore--Teachers may pre-order souvenir bags for the group.
Battlefield facilities vary depending on site. Please call the Education Department for more information. Handicapped Provisions: Yes
