Upcoming Events
July 4th: VA250 Old Town Jubilee Laser Light show - Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum -Winchester, VA
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of United States Independence with this unique patriotic-themed light show projected onto the Historic 1840 Frederick County Courthouse (Today the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum at 20 N Loudoun St, Winchester VA) presented by VA250.
July 18th: Cool Spring 162nd Anniversary Tour - Bluemont, VA
Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute will commemorate the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Cool Spring on Saturday, July 18, with a special tour and program— “Coming Like a Meteor”: Artillery at Cool Spring. The tour, which will be led by Jonathan A. Noyalas (Hugh & Virginia McCormick Chair in Civil War History at Shenandoah University and Director of the University’s McCormick Civil War Institute), will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Lodge (1400 Parker Lane, Bluemont, Virginia).
The walking tour will culminate in an immersive, hands-on learning experience on field artillery with historian Alan Robertson. Attendees will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with Civil War artillery and explore its effectiveness at the Battle of Cool Spring. The event is free ad open to the public; no pre-registration is required.
July 25th: Second Battle of Kernstown Tour - Winchester, VA
Free program, more information available soon!
Join Scott Patchan, author of ‘Shenandoah Summer’, ‘The Last Battle of Winchester’ and more for an entertaining and informative all-day walking and driving tour about this July 1864 battle. The event is free but registration is encouraged. 9:00AM - 12:00PM.
July 24-26th : VA250 Mobile Museum visits the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum - Winchester, VA
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of United States Independence and the 268th Anniversary of George Washington’s Election to the Virginia House of Burgesses (his first elected political position!) with the VA250 Mobile Museum! Check back for more information soon!
August 1st: Walking Tour of Downtown Winchester - Winchester, VA
Free program, no registration required.
Meets at 11:00AM in front of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum (20 N Loudoun St, Winchester, VA). All ages. Free walking tour of Downtown Winchester with SVBF Ranger Wade Custer. The tour will stop and provide interpretation at a number of historic buildings associated with the American Civil War, French & Indian War, George Washington & General Daniel Morgan on Winchester's Pedestrian Mall.
August 15th: Port Republic & Cross Keys Civil War Day - Port Republic, VA
Free programs, no registration required.
Check back for more information and an itinerary soon!
September 19th: Third Battle of Winchester 162nd Anniversary - Third Winchester Battlefield Park - Winchester, VA
Join Scott Patchan, author of "The Last Battle of Winchester", for a series of focused tours on the 162nd anniversary of the battle. The tours are free and no registration is required.
10:30 AM Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur’s Tarheels:
Ramseur’s North Carolina troops were the first Southern infantry engaged in the Third Battle of Winchester, as they battled Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson’s cavalry division in the early morning hours. These Carolinians withstood tremendous odds before being overwhelmed by the Union Sixth Corps Division of Maj. Gen. James B. Ricketts. Although temporarily retreating in confusion, they joined a counterattack by Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes’ division that restored the broken Confederate line.
Meet at the North Carolina Monument off Route 7 on Getty Lane in front of the Town Place Suites Hotel (170 Getty Ln, Winchester, VA 22603)
1:00 PM The 14th New Hampshire and Brig. Gen. Henry Birge’s Brigade:
Birge’s Nineteenth Corps brigade began the day by smashing through the left wing of Confederate General John B. Gordon’s division and putting it too flight. Birge’s New Englanders and New Yorkers pursued with victory seeming assured when the situation quickly reversed itself. Birge’s men suddenly found themselves outgunned and lost 525 men, most of them killed or wounded, at this stage of the battle. We will walk in their footsteps and explore their success and how the course of the battle changed suddenly.
Meet at the Alabama Monument in the Middle Field. (253 Averrell Ave, Winchester, VA 22603)
2:30 PM Maj. James Breathed’s Horse Artillery:
Jubal Early’s Confederates were outmanned at Third Winchester, but the skillful handling of the Southern Artillery prevented defeat from becoming a complete disaster. From this position we will discuss the role of the horse artillery and the supporting dismounted horse soldiers of Maj. Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee in playing a key role in the battle.
Meet at the artillery located on the Huntsberry Farm on the north side of Redbud Run. (541 Redbud Road, Winchester, VA 22603)
December 12th: Holidays in Winchester Throughout the American Civil War - Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum - Winchester, VA
Program included with Admissions to the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, SVBF Members are FREE
Kick off the 2026 Holiday Season at the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum (20 N Loudoun St. Winchester, VA) at 12:00PM (Noon) on Saturday, December 12th to hear SVBF Ranger Michael Gionfriddo discuss how the holidays were celebrated in Winchester throughout the American Civil War!
For questions regarding events in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, please contact Michael Gionfriddo at mgionfriddo@svbf.net