Belle Grove Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek
October 19, 2014 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Belle Grove has been working with Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, and our park partners to plan the commemoration. Please note that Belle Grove will be closed to the public on Friday, October 17 so that we may host school tours that day.
The full schedule of events is posted here and includes:
- Hikes, driving tours, and a real-time battlefield tours at the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park throughout the weekend (free admission).
- Living history activities at Belle Grove Plantation and Cedar Creek Battlefield on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 (ticketed event).
- Two symposium series featuring lectures by prominent historians and scholars on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 (ticketed event).
- A reenactment of the cavalry battle at Tom's Brook and the 3rd Battle of Winchester on Saturday, October 18 and a reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek on Sunday, October 19 (ticketed event).
- A sunset commemoration ceremony featuring a color guard salute, wreath laying, musical tributes, and speeches by community leaders on Saturday, October 18 (free admission).
- A rededication of the monument to Confederate General Stephen Ramseur on the anniversary of his death on Monday, October 20 (free admission).
All ticketed events will be included under one admission that will be $18 for adults, $9 for children ages 6 to 18, students with ID, retired or active military with ID, and persons 65 years of age and older. Children ages 6 and younger will be free. Each ticket provides admission for one day (Saturday or Sunday) and gives the guest full access to the entire Belle Grove Plantation and Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation properties and all of its activities, including battle reenactments. General admission tickets are on sale now at http://ccbf.us. The layout and parking for the event will be changed from past reenactments and a map may be found here. Additional information about the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Sesquicentennial Events events may be found here or at www.nps.gov/cebe.
A special way to experience the commemoration events and reenactments, is to join the "150 Club." Each $150 ticket includes an invitation to the private Opening Reception and Civil War Dance on Thursday, October 16 and the Sunset Commemoration Ceremony on Saturday, October 18. It also includes express check-in, designated parking, bleacher seating with an unobstructed view of the reenactments, and access to VIP hospitality tent for refreshments. Purchasing 150 Club tickets is one way that you can help both organizations with continued preservation of the battlefield. For tickets click here.
Another way Belle Grove is commemorating the upcoming 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek, is by offering tours that specifically discuss Belle Grove Plantation during the Civil War. "Belle Grove in the Civil War" will include the Civil War Shenandoah Valley campaigns from 1862 through 1864 and will highlight areas in the Manor House as well as the surrounding landscape. Upcoming tour dates are:
- Tuesday, September 23, 3:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 30, 3:15 p.m.
- Saturday, October 4, 3:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 7, 3:15 p.m.
- Saturday, October 11, 3:15 p.m.
The tour is offered at Belle Grove’s regular admission prices: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, military, and AAA members, $6 for students 6-16 and National Trust for Historic Preservation members, and free to Belle Grove members. The “Belle Grove in the Civil War” tour will immediately follow a 2:30 p.m. National Park Service Ranger program “1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign in a Box” that will take place on Belle Grove’s front lawn. Click here for the full schdule of Ranger Programs.
Belle Grove is also pleased to publish "Belle Grove in the Civil War," by Wayne Sulfridge, Ph.D. This booklet discusess the Plantation's strategic location and occupation during the Civil War and will be available during the Sesquicentennial weekend and in the Belle Grove Museum Shop.
