Skip to content

Details

Let's check out the Slaughter Pen Farm Living History & Battle Recreation!

❶ What we'll do:

We'll start with a hike along the Slaughter Pen Farm Trail. The hike is a modified loop, about 1.6 miles of dirt trails, and should take no more than an hour, with stops to check out the historical markers and the CS and US living history camps. (The living history camps are set up from 9am to 5 pm. Their locations on the map are very approximate.)

After the hike you can stay as long as you wish to observe any/all of the recreation of the Civil War events that took place at this location on December 13, 1862, conducted by the Buck and Ball Living History Association LLC:

  • 10 am: Morning parade/drill demonstrations
  • 11 am: Attack of 16th Maine battle recreation
  • 2 pm: Confederate counterattack battle recreation
  • 3 pm: Artillery demonstration

Google map: https://tinyurl.com/34fcpxhy

❷ How to get there: The street address of the park is 11190 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. From the I-495 Capital Beltway (either direction), take I-95 S to Plank Rd in Fredericksburg. Take exit 130A from I-95 S for State 3 E / Plank Rd toward Fredericksburg. Continue on Plank Rd. Take Blue and Gray Pkwy and US-17 BUS S/VA-2 S to Tessa Trail in Spotsylvania County. The Slaughter Pen Farm Historic Site will be on your right. See https://goo.gl/maps/7GdY9PXEdLQ3uWMc8

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Sunscreen and the layered look are recommended. Please leave your furry friend at home -- the rifle and cannon fire may be a little much for dogs.

❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly cloudy and a high of 46F, with light NNE winds and a slight chance of showers. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/fc3mjxew

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff:

  • There will be portable restrooms set up near the parking area. See below for a couple of likely commercial establishments for a pit stop en route to the hike.
  • On your way home from the event, you may wish to stop by the Fredericksburg Market Square to check out the Fredericksburg Area Museum's KrisKringlMarkt. It's open 11 am-7 pm and is modeled after traditional German-style markets, featuring vendors selling traditional crafts and foods. See address and link below.

❼ Notes:

Event photo: Carl Röchling: The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 [cropped], public domain

Events in Fredericksburg, VA
Hiking
Outdoors
Walking

Members are also interested in