Winchester, Virginia
James R. Wilkins Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center
Begin here for the Civil War story of Winchester—then step onto more than 600 acres of preserved Third Winchester battlefield.
Visitor information
Visitor center hours
March 1–November 30
Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat · 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday · 1–5 p.m.
Limited hours during the off-season.
Battlefield park
Open daily
Dawn to dusk
Your Winchester starting point
Start here. Understand the battlefields.
Winchester endured six major battles and changed hands repeatedly during the Civil War, placing the city and surrounding countryside in near-constant turmoil.
The James R. Wilkins Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center is the main orientation site for this complex history and the best place to begin exploring Winchester’s battlefields and related Civil War sites.
Located at Third Winchester Battlefield Park, the center offers interpretive exhibits, orientation films, visitor information, a gift shop with books and souvenirs, and restroom facilities.
Inside the visitor center
Winchester’s Civil War story comes into focus.
Use films, artifacts, maps, and interpretive displays to understand the battles before walking the preserved ground.
Third Winchester Battlefield Park
Walk the Valley’s largest and costliest battle.
Fought on September 19, 1864, the Third Battle of Winchester brought more than 54,000 soldiers into a fierce struggle that ended with Confederate forces driven through Winchester.
Today the park preserves more than 600 acres, with over six miles of walking trails, monuments, and more than 30 interpretive markers.
Explore the battlefield
Find your way through Third Winchester
Use the interactive trail map to locate the visitor center, trailheads, preserved ground, monuments, and interpretive markers.
Begin your Winchester battlefield visit
Start at Wilkins. Step into Third Winchester.
Get oriented inside the visitor center, then cross Redbud Road and experience the preserved battlefield for yourself.