Battle of Second Kernstown

160th Anniversary Commemorative Programs

July 20th, 27th, and 28th

 July 20th - 2nd Battle of Kernstown Tour led by Scott Patchan 

Scott Patchan, author of Shenandoah Summer: The 1864 Valley Campaign, will be leading a walking and driving tour of the 2nd Battle of Kernstown on Saturday, July 20th. The tour will begin at 9:30 am and will finish no later than 3:00 pm. Everyone should plan on arriving by 9 am so that the tour can start on time.

The tour will include a strategic overview followed by a battlefield walking and driving tour. The battlefield tour will start and finish on the Kernstown Battlefield “main campus”, but will also include a visit to the Kernstown Battlefield Association’s newly acquired Sandy Ridge property along with a stop in the vicinity of the Confederate flanking attack to the southeast of the Kernstown Battlefield property.

There will be an hour lunch break. Lunch will not be provided so plan accordingly.

Also be advised, this tour can accommodate people with mobility issues. Please let the Kernstown Battlefield Association personnel know when you arrive if you need mobility assistance. We have golf carts available for those with mobility issues.

Registration is not required but if you are planning to attend we would appreciate you registering by visiting www.kernstownbattle.org.

Finally, this tour is free, but donations are graciously accepted. 

July 27th and 29th

Re-enactment/Living History of 2nd Battle of Kernstown With the Civil War Historical Impressions

The Kernstown Battlefield Association (KBA) will host a Living History Weekend presented by Civil War Historical Impressions (CWHI) to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Kernstown on July 27th and 28th . The rout of Union forces at 2nd Kernstown was the last Confederate victory in the 1864 Valley Campaign.

This event will feature both Union and Confederate camps that will be open to the public. There will be interpretive programs and displays of camp life throughout the day. Approximately 150 re-enactors will present multiple infantry marching and firing demonstrations. Both days will be highlighted by a skirmish re-enacting a pivotal point of the battle on the very spot where it happened. A field hospital demonstration with a Confederate surgeon will be held on Saturday. Period civilian interpretations continue into the evening. An 1864 Church Service will be held on Sunday.

There will be free parking in our East Field as you enter the Front Gate and there is no fee for this all-day event. The Kernstown Battlefield will be open from 9:00 am through 9:00 pm on Saturday and 9:00 am through 4:00 pm on Sunday for this special weekend. A food truck will be onsite from 12 to 4:00 pm on Saturday. The event will be held rain or shine. The Kernstown Battlefield is located at 610 Battle Park Drive, Winchester, Virginia, off Valley Avenue. The turnoff to the battlefield is next to the Subaru dealership on Valley Avenue.

A schedule of events is listed below:

Saturday July 27th

9:00am: Camps Open to Public

11:00am: Confederate Drill & Firing

12:45pm: Union Drill & Firing

2:30pm: Skirmish followed by Field Hospital

3:00pm: Interpretations/Displays of Uniforms & Equipment in Camps

4:30pm: Civil War Food and Rations in Camps

5:30pm: “Sunset at the Battlefield” Civilian Interpretation

7:30pm: Evening Camp Tours

9:00pm: Camps and Battlefield Closed

Sunday July 28th

9:00am: Camps Open to Public

10:00am: 1864 Church Service

11:30am: Interpretations of Equipment and Rations in Camps

12:30pm: Skirmish followed by Memorial Formation

2:00pm: Camps Closed

4:00pm: Battlefield Closes