Pamplin Park Open Weekdays,
By Reservation On Weekends
(April 2009 Civil War News)

PETERSBURG, Va. — Weekday public hours have expanded at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. The park is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and continues to be open by reservation only on weekends.

”We are extremely pleased to reestablish regular operating hours this spring,” said Executive Director A. Wilson Greene in a press release. “With the warmer weather our attendance always perks up and we look forward to welcoming everyone from students to visitors from around the region and the country.”

Pamplin Historical Park was open by reservation only since Jan. 2 when the faltering economy forced reduced funding, causing staff layoffs (see January Civil War News).

During the winter the park trained nearly three dozen new volunteers, rehired some of its former employees and cross-trained the permanent staff to perform a variety of duties.

“Our generous members have been instrumental in helping us get back on our feet,” said Greene. “Many of the park’s friends contributed significantly to our general operating fund, which has allowed us to begin to rebuild our professional staff.”

Some 32,000 students have field trip reservations to visit the park between March and early June. Revenues from these programs will allow the park to serve walk-in visitors as well.

Anyone can make a reservation to visit on weekends throughout the spring. A basic fee of $100 allows up to 10 people to tour the park on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.

“Once a group has made a weekend reservation, we will open the park that day for general visitation,” Greene said. Regular park admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The 422-acre site includes four museums, four historic structures and more than three miles of interpretive trails. For information, call (804) 861-2408 or visit http://pamplinpark.org.