Richmond National Battlefield Park

09/14/2026

Reminder! We offer battlefield orientation talks at Cold Harbor Wednesday through Sunday.
15-minute battlefield orientation talks are led by a park ranger at the Cold Harbor visitor center at 10am, 11am, and 1pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
Battlefield introduction talks begin at the Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center, 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville VA 23111.

[Image: Tour at Cold Harbor, NPS photo]

09/12/2026

MALVERN HILL BATTLEFIELD TOUR.
On Saturday, September 26, a park ranger from Richmond National Battlefield Park will offer a guided walking tour of the Malvern Hill Battlefield from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This 90-minute tour will offer an overview of the July 1, 1862 battle that marked the end of the Seven Days Battles and whose result prompted Abraham Lincoln to compose the Emancipation Proclamation.

The tour will cover about a mile-and-a-half of uneven ground. Wear appropriate shoes for the terrain and clothing for the weather, and bringing water to stay hydrated is recommended. Pit toilet facilities are available at the Malvern Hill battlefield site.

Meet your guide at the Malvern Hill Battlefield parking area at 9175 Willis Church Road Richmond, VA 23231.

09/09/2026

A NEW TRENCH AT COLD HARBOR.
The Cold Harbor Battlefield is famous for its well-preserved historic trenches that were constructed by United States and Confederate soldiers from May 31 to June 12, 1864. But in 2026, a new trench appeared.

Contractors dug the latest trench at Cold Harbor to install an updated water line to the historic Garthright House, which witnessed the battles of Gaines’ Mill and Cold Harbor. National Park Service archaeologists were present to observe the work and to keep an eye out for artifacts in the disturbed earth. (Nothing noteworthy was uncovered during the construction).

Like many local farmers did after the 1864 battle, our modern workers covered up their trenches when their work was done, leaving little trace of their digging project.

[Image: Excavation work at Richmond National Battlefield Park, NPS]

09/08/2026

Public Input Open House: White-tailed Deer Management Plan for Richmond National Battlefield Park.

The National Park Service is in the early stages of developing a management plan for white-tailed deer in Richmond National Battlefield Park in the counties surrounding Richmond, Virginia.

NPS will host a public meeting at the Varina Public Library, located at 1875 New Market Road in Henrico, VA, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. EDT. The open house will provide an opportunity to learn about deer-related impacts on the park, to discuss this information with the NPS team, and to provide written comments. Since this is an open house, there will be no formal presentation or recording, and attendees are welcome to arrive at any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT.
More information here:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=787D4184-9A9F-BDB9-259BF33BB2740DBF

[Image: Deer at Richmond National Battlefield Park, NPS]

09/06/2026

Ranger Talk - Richmond: Generations of History

On Thursday, September 17, a park ranger from Richmond National Battlefield Park will offer a talk, "Richmond: Generations of History; Layered Through Time," at the Round House at Chimborazo Park from 6 to 7 p.m. The talk is free, will last one hour, and no reservations are required.

Chimborazo Park is located at 3215 E. Broad Street, Richmond VA 23223. The Round House is located at the southeast edge of Chimborazo Park, near the intersection of Grace Street and Government Road.

[Image: Chimborazo Round House, NPS]

09/05/2026

UPDATE: For the health and safety of park staff, volunteers, and visitors in high heat and humidity, the event at Malvern Hill today (Saturday, September 5) will end after the noon cannon firing demonstration.

09/05/2026

EVENT UPDATE: For the health and safety of park staff, volunteers, and visitors in high heat and humidity, the event at Malvern Hill today (Saturday, September 5) will end after the noon cannon firing demonstration.

TODAY! ARTILLERY AND RIFLE DEMONSTRATIONS AT MALVERN HILL.
On Saturday September 5, the park will offer rifle and cannon demonstrations at Malvern Hill battlefield. This battle featured multiple Confederate attacks on well-positioned U.S. artillery and infantry. During the event, re-enactors will demonstrate the use of artillery in the battle, and soldiers will show how the attacks on the hill unfolded.

Program times for the artillery are 10 a.m. and noon. Re-enactors will be set up to answer questions and discuss uniforms, gear, and weapons. Malvern Hill is located at 9175 Willis Church Road, Henrico, VA 23231.

08/30/2026

Join us on Thursday for a special riverfront canal cruise!

It's our LAST Special Tour of the summer! Don't miss a special Riverfront Canal Cruise guided by the National Park Service 🛶🌳

Discover the history of the James River and Kanawha Canal and its connection to Richmond’s development and growth. Guests will learn how the canal system shaped the city’s economy, transportation, and role in Virginia history through insights from a park ranger with Richmond National Battlefield Park!

Don't miss out!
🕐 Thursday, 9/3 | 6 + 7 PM
ℹ️ Get tickets for special tours at riverfrontcanalcruises.com or call the ticket kiosk at 804-649-2800
🗺️ Tours depart from the canal's Turning Basin at 139 Virginia Street, in Downtown Richmond
🎟️ Adults: $15, Children (5-12) & Seniors (65+): $8, Kids under 4 are free! *Please note: Tickets purchased online will include a service provider booking fee

08/30/2026

Spotlight on Safety: Picnics in the Park.

A reminder – picnics are permitted in Richmond National Battlefield Park, but not everywhere! We preserve more than a dozen hallowed battlegrounds, and out of respect for those who fought there and to help keep those spaces preserved for future generations, picnics are limited to certain areas.

If you’d like to pack a lunch and explore our many Civil War sites, remember that picnicking is permitted in the following designated areas:
• Beaver Dam Creek Parking Area
• Chimborazo Visitor Center Grounds
• Chickahominy Bluff Parking Area
• Cold Harbor Visitor Center Parking Area
• Drewry’s Bluff Parking Area
• Fort Harrison Picnic area
• Gaines Mill Parking Area
• Malvern Hill Parking Area
• The Parsonage Parking Area
• Rural Plains Parking Area, and area surrounding or near the historic Shelton house.

08/22/2026

ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATIONS AT MALVERN HILL.
On Saturday September 5, the park will offer cannon demonstrations at Malvern Hill battlefield. This battle featured multiple Confederate attacks on well-positioned US artillery and infantry. During the event, re-enactors will demonstrate the use of artillery in the battle.

Program times for the artillery are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. US re-enactors will be set up to answer questions and discuss uniforms, gear, and weapons. Malvern Hill is located at 9175 Willis Church Road, Henrico, VA 23231.