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Walk the old country lanes where Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant, General-in-Chief of all United States forces, on April 9, 1865. Imagine the events that signaled the end of the Southern States' attempt to create a separate nation.
The National Park encompasses approximately 1,800 acres of rolling hills in rural central Virginia. The site includes the McLean home (surrender site) and the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, the former county seat for Appomattox County.
The site also has the home and burial place of Joel Sweeney - the popularizer of the modern five string banjo. There are twenty seven original 19th century structures on the site.
Visitors can enjoy a self guided walking tour (pamphlet available at the Visitor Center), a six mile History Trail, audio visual programs, interpretive displays, museum exhibits, a bookstore, and living history and Ranger talks in the summer.
Facilities
The McLean House - The three story structure is furnished with mid-nineteenth century furnishings. The Parlor of the house where the surrender meeting took place is furnished with a combination of original and reproduction items. The Mclean house is located within the historic village approximately 150 yards west of the Visitor Center.
Appomattox Court House Visitor Center/Museum - Exhibits include many original artifacts associated with the events surrounding the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Artifacts range from the pencil used by General Lee to make corrections in the surrender terms to documents and military artifacts. The Park has a 70 seat theatre where two different 15 minute slide programs are shown on an hourly schedule. Living History programs are offered every day during the summer months, and accassionally on weekends in the spring and fall. Actors portray historical figures from the 1860s. The Visitor Center is in the reconstructed courthouse building on VA 24, 2 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Appomattox, VA. (434) 352-8987 x 26.
Fees:
From Memorial Day until Labor Day: $4 per person, not to exceed $10 per vehicle
Off-Season: $3 per person, not to exceed $5 per vehicle
No charge for ages 15 and younger.
Getting There:
The Visitor Center is in the reconstructed courthouse building on VA 24, 2 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Appomattox, VA.
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