Petersburg brings together Civil War history, historic buildings, connections to the river, and outdoor trails. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering the different highlights: You can explore Petersburg National Battlefield on a driving tour with 16 stops across all four park units; other sites focus on architecture, local history, or activities on the Appomattox River.
Battlefield, Trails, and Water
The driving tour of Petersburg National Battlefield offers a way to explore all four park units as part of one connected theme. The Eastern Front Unit also has approximately 10 miles of natural trails suitable for hiking, running, and biking. Three historic interpretive trails, each approximately half a mile long, add to what’s available there. Their lengths and focus can help you choose: The natural trails accommodate different activities, while the shorter interpretive trails combine historical interpretation with a walk.
On Pocahontas Island, archaeological sites span a broad period: They illustrate the island’s history from prehistoric times through the 20th century. In the 19th century, the island became a Freedom Colony and is considered Virginia’s first settlement inhabited predominantly by free Black people. The Appomattox River Trail runs along the island, where there is a natural launch site for canoes and kayaks. The island offers a chance to consider both its historic legacy and access to the river.
Local History in Neighborhoods and Buildings
The Petersburg Old Town Historic District covers approximately 250 buildings across 190 acres. Its architecture includes residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, most dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The district preserves one of Virginia’s richest collections of historic buildings. At City Market, also called Old Market, the history dates back to the farmers’ market of 1879. The current building stands out for its shape and decorative cast-iron brackets, which support the canopy and projecting market shelter.
Individual homes also reflect different architectural periods. The Nathaniel Friend House was built in 1815–1816 as an example of Petersburg’s Federal style. The city acquired it for preservation and carried out essential structural stabilization work; the house was successfully rehabilitated. Centre Hill Mansion dates to 1823 and is also an example of Federal-style architecture. Its basement galleries feature exhibits about Petersburg’s history, whose contents may change. The Hustings Courthouse was originally built in 1839 in the Greek Revival style.
The Second Presbyterian Church illustrates mid-19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. Its features include Gothic-style plasterwork, a central pulpit, and a ribbed, vaulted apse. The Blandford Church Museum focuses on other aspects: Its decorative stained-glass windows were designed and installed entirely under the direction of Louis Comfort Tiffany of New York. A tour explains the building’s history as an 18th-century Anglican place of worship and its use as a field hospital during the Siege of Petersburg.
Industrial and transportation history add to the picture. The Appomattox Iron Works complex is one of the most complete architectural records of an early iron foundry in the United States. South Side Depot is considered Virginia’s oldest surviving train station and serves as Petersburg’s visitor center. Its gallery space features rotating exhibits by local and regional artists. Farmers Bank of Petersburg was built in 1817; a tour includes the original vault and safe, a printing press, teller windows, and other artifacts. Check the tour’s opening hours before visiting.
Special Events and Other Perspectives
Battersea was built in 1768 on the banks of the Appomattox River in the Neo-Palladian style. Each April, it hosts the Battle of Petersburg Rev War Re-enactment. Since event dates are important for planning a specific trip, it’s a good idea to check the current calendar. Cameron Field offers a different focus: George Cameron donated the field to the city in 1933. It serves year-round as a venue for Appomattox Governor’s School soccer, youth soccer programs, adult flag football, youth football, and numerous sporting events. The schedule may change.
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