FREDERICKSBURG AND SPOTSYLVANIA NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
540-373-6122
www.nps.gov/frsp/index.htm
120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This park contains 4 great battlefields of the Civil War; Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House. Also included are Old Salem Church, Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Chatham and Jackson Shrine. Narrative markers, maps, paintings, exhibits and interpretive trails enhance the self-guided tour of the 4 battlefields.
FREDERICKSBURG BATTLEFIELD VISITOR CENTER
540-693-3200
1013 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
The Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center is located at the base of historic Marye's Heights on the Fredericksburg battlefield. It contains artifacts, museum, book store, self-guided walking and driving tours. U.S. Park Service personnel on duty.
PARKING: 2 wheelchair accessible parking spaces
TYPES OF PATHS: Brick, bark chip and gravel.
ENTRANCE: Around building, opposite parking lot. Full exterior ramp access. Entry doors, 45 in. wide, open in and out with knob handle located 36 in. above floor. 20 steps leading to museum in basement. Each step is 6 in. high. Handrails on left and right.
he basement is not wheelchair accessible and contains one room of exhibits, the auditorium, and non-accessible restrooms.
PUBLIC REST ROOMS: The accessible rest rooms are located in the adjacent brick bookstore to the Visitor Center. Doors 40 in. wide, and open in. No turns to enter. Accessible stalls have curtain door. Handrails. Accessible stall checked regularly for obstructions. Unisex or companion assisted rest rooms available.
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Link to free iPhone Fredericksburg Battlefield app
Link to free Android Fredericksburg Battlefield app
This GPS-enabled application will guide you through four detailed tours that cover the entire Civil War battlefield - from the initial fight for the town to the Union attack on Prospect Hill to the bloody repulses at the Sunken Road. Click on the various "virtual signs" to access accounts of the great events at the location where you are standing. Onboard historian videos, audio accounts of soldiers and civilians from the battle, animated maps, photos, order of battle, chronologies and key facts and more are just a click away.
For guests with hearing disabilities, there are listening devices with volume amplification available for the orientation film. Please inquire of the front desk staff..
For guests with visual disabilities, there is audio description available for the orientation film. Please inquire of the front desk staff. Sunken Road tour has signs with raised lettering and a site with recorded message.
Audio tours covering the Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House battlefields, each lasting three hours, are available at the visitor center bookstores for rent (with a $20.00 cash deposit) or purchase.
Link to listen to podcast of the Sunken Road tour given by Park historian Frank O’Reilly.
For guests with mobility disabilities, the most accessible trail is the Sunken Road trail just outside of the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and the grounds at Prospect Hill (Fredericksburg Battlefield Tour Stop 6) Link to trail guide.
Along the stone wall, the path inclines sideways and becomes narrow, making it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair. No curb cuts for crossing road. At Marye’s Heights there is a steep incline. Recorded message available at one area. On driving tour, Lee Hill has steep incline along asphalt path to top of hill. All other stops, wheelchairs can be pushed to the sites.
Link to video of Sunken Road tour.
Link to virtual tour of the Fredericksburg battlefield.
Link to You Tube channel for the Frederiksberg battlefields.
Link to listen to the podcast of Fredericksburg Battlefield driving tour. MP3 format. 53 minutes long
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Movie on Battle of Fredericksburg. Special tours in summer. Hours 9-5 daily. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25.
CHANCELLORSVILLE BATTLEFIELD VISITOR’S CENTER
540-786-2880 On State Rte 3 West, Fredericksburg
www.nps.gov/frsp/cville.htm
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The battle of Chancellorsville involved more men, and resulted in more casualties, than any other engagement ever fought on Virginia soil, including the wounding of Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Because of the daunting odds that Gen. R.E. Lee faced, and the dazzling tactical initiatives that he employed, Chancellorsville has been called his greatest victory. Film strip, self- guided walking and driving tours. Artifacts, museum, bookstore. U.S. Park Service personnel on duty. "Eyewitness to History: Jackson Falls and Home in Ruin" - A Dramatic Presentation (Weekends)
PARKING: 2 wheelchair accessible parking spaces
PATHS: Cement sidewalks or dirt paths.
ENTRANCE: 50 ft. from the parking lot. Door 40 in. wide, easily opens out, with pull handle 36 in. above floor.
RESTROOM: Door width 36 in. Door opens in. Turns to enter. Accessible stall available with shower curtain door. Handrails. Checked regularly to see no obstructions block access.
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Link to free iPhone Chancellorsville Battlefield app
Link to free Android Chancellorsville Battlefield app
An excellent Civil War touring partner for the exploration of the Chancellorsville battlefield. The GPS-enabled application will guide you to all the historic spots on this Civil War battlefield. Click on the "virtual signs" to access a wealth of information related to the very spot where you are standing. Onboard historian videos, audio accounts of soldiers from the battle, photos, orders of battle, chronologies, key facts, and more are just a click away.
For guests with hearing or visual disabilities, listening devices with volume amplification or audio description are available to accompany the movie. Inquire at the front desk to obtain a listening device. There are special visual exhibits, large prints and slide show.
For guests with mobility disabilities, the most accessible trails are the Jackson Wounding loop trail around the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center and sections of the trail to Fairview at Chancellorsville Tour Stop 10 (broken by a non-accessible wooden bridge that passes over earthworks).
Link to virtual tour of Chancellorsville Battlefield.
Link to listen to the Chancellorsville Battlefield driving tour.MP3 format, 46 minutes.
GIFT SHOP: Publications on Civil War history available for purchase.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This visitor center accessible for wheelchairs. Easy access to auditorium, museum and rest rooms. A slide show shown daily. Hours: 9-5 daily. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25.
Jackson Wounding Walking Tour, is a 35 minute guided walking tour that explores the Battle of Chancellorsville and the mortal wounding of "Stonewall" Jackson. Leaves from Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center. Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, 11:25 and 2:25
CHATHAM MANOR 540-371-0802 120 Chatham Lane, off State Rt. 218 in Fredericksburg
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This Georgian mansion was a Union headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg and is now the park headquarters. This magnificent mansion, its various outbuildings and dependencies, and the historic ground which surrounds it represent a small preserve in which the entire scope of Virginia heritage can be understood and appreciated. Today Chatham is part of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.
PARKING: 1 wheelchair accessible parking space.
PATHS: Flagstone to main house. Asphalt from parking lot to front of mansion is slightly uneven. Gardens have flagstone paths.
ENTRANCE: Rear of mansion, via ramp with handrails. Door 37 in. wide easily opens in with knob handle 36 in. above floor.
RESTROOMS: Accessible rest room is located in a separate building. Door width 35 in., door opens in, and turns to enter. Accessible stall has 31 in. door, handrails and raised seat. Checked regularly to see no obstructions block access to rest room.
SPECIAL SERVICES: Audio cassettes and portable tape recorders are available at the Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center. Some signs are in large print. Scrapbook of site available. Small shelf of books for sale.
Link to listen to podcast about Chatham's architecture. MP 3 format 15 minutes long.
Link to view video tour of Chatham manor.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Pictures and exhibits. Some signs are suspended from floor to ceiling with wires, wheelchairs need to be cautious. Hours: 9-4:30 daily. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25.
OLD SALEM CHURCH On State Rte 3, 1 mile west of I-95.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Site of intensive fighting during the battle of Chancellorsville.
The first floor of the historic church is accessible through a deployable metal ramp. There is a small accessible rest room.
Link to photo gallery of Salem Church.
Link to photo gallery of the Salem Church monuments.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Grounds open daily all year for a walking tour. Wood chip path on grounds. Building open from 2-5 on Sat and Sun in the summer months.
THE WILDERNESS On State Rte 20 west of State Rte 3.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Site of the first battle between Lee and Grant. This is part of the driving tour. Tour stops and Wilderness Exhibit Shelter is an open-air exhibit shelter available to help visitors understand the battle. They are accessible.
Park Historian on duty, Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays, 9:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"No Turning Back": A 45-minute Walking Tour begins at the Wilderness Battlefield Exhibit Shelter, Driving Tour Stop 2. This tour explores the battle of the Wilderness, the first clash of Lee and Grant and the beginning of the Overland Campaign.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, 11:00 and 3:45
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Link to free iPhone app for the Wilderness
Link to free Android app for the Wilderness.
The GPS-enabled application allows you to discover the great historical sites associated with this pivotal 1864 campaign. Using enhanced map capabilities, it covers The Wilderness and Spotsylvania, plus North Anna, and Cold Harbor. Click on the “virtual signs” to access a wealth of information related to the location where you are standing. Onboard historian videos, audio accounts from soldiers and civilians, photos, and facts.
For guests with mobility disabilities, the most accessible trail is the Tapp field trail at Wilderness Battlefield Tour Stop 6 and the Brock Road-Plank Road Intersection trail at Wilderness Battlefield Tour Stop 8. Link to trail guide in PDF format.
Link to virtual tour of Wilderness Battlefield.
Link to listen to the Wilderness Battlefield driving tour. MP3 format, 38 minutes
36380 Constitution Highway (Route 20), Locust Grove, VA 22508
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The house served as the headquarters for the three Union generals and houses exhibits on the Battle of the Wilderness. It also was a Confederate hospital. The family cemetery became the burial site for General “Stonewall” Jackson’s amputated arm.
The entire first floor has been restored to its 1864 appearance. The Ellwood Room presents an enlightening array of graphic panels conveying history of the Wilderness, the plantation, the house, the families, and domestic life.
The Wilderness Room display panels provide an in-depth description of the Battle of the Wilderness. Featured are a state-of-the-art map showing the progression of the two-day battle and an interactive station that invites visitors to try their hand at determining the outcome of various battle scenarios.
RESTROOMS: A wheelchair accessible porta-potty is located on the grounds.
SPECIAL SERVICES: The first floor of this historic building is accessible. The second floor is not yet open to the public. Link to the Ellwood Brochure in PDF format.
Link to photo gallery for Ellwood Manor.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Hours: Open to the public on weekends and holidays only 10-5. Free admission. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Tours of the manor house are conducted every 30 minutes, last tour beginning at 4:30.
At all other times, visitors who want to visit the grounds at Ellwood must sign in and receive a pass at the Chancellorsville Visitor Center.
BATTLE OF SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE On State Rte 208.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Site of 1864 battle.
Part of the driving tour. Tour stops and Spotsylvania Exhibit Shelter is an open-air exhibit shelter is available to help visitors understand the battle. They are accessible. Park Historian on duty Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bloody Angle Walking Tour begins at the Bloody Angle, Driving Tour Stop 3, and walks the slight bend in Confederate earthworks that was the scene of 22-hours of combat in the pouring rain--the bloody climax of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 11:00, 1:30, and 4:00
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Link to free iPhone app for Spotsylvania Court House.
Link to free Android app for Spotsylvania Court House.
The GPS-enabled application allows you to discover the great historical sites associated with this pivotal 1864 campaign. Using enhanced map capabilities, it covers The Wilderness and Spotsylvania, plus North Anna, and Cold Harbor. Click on the “virtual signs” to access a wealth of information related to the location where you are standing. Onboard historian videos, audio accounts from soldiers and civilians, photos, and facts.
For guests with mobility disabilities, the most accessible trails are portions of the trail network around the Bloody Angle (Tour Stop 3) and the path linking the Bloody Angle to the East Face of the Salient (Tour Stop 3 to Tour Stop 6). Link to trail map.
Link to virtual tour of Spotsylvania Battlefield.
Link to listen to the Spotsylvania Battlefield driving tour. MP3 format. 45 minutes.
JACKSON SHRINE 804-633-6076
12019 Stonewall Jackson Rd., Woodford VA 22580
www.co.caroline.va.us
12 miles south on U. S. Rte 1, then 5 mile east on State Rte 606/Stonewall Jackson Rd.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Restored site of the death of General Stonewall Jackson, following his injury at the battle of Chancellorsville.
PARKING: Parking area is not divided into parking spaces. No ramp needed. Ground is level.
PATHS: Parking lot is gravel. Brick walkway to house.
ENTRANCE: In front. Two 6 in. steps. The first floor of this two story historic building is accessible through a deployable metal ramp. Door width 37 in. Door easily opens. Interior steps lead to second floor.
RESTROOM: Small building beside parking lot. Ground level. Door width 33 in. Door opens out, no turns to enter. Single commode and sink within a 5 ft. by 6 ft. room. Handrails behind and to the left of the toilet. No obstructions to hinder accessibility, trash receptacle built into wall. Rest room is locked when building is not open.
SPECIAL SERVICES: Written scripts available of both the audio at the painting located beside the parking lot and of the building tour.
Link to photo gallery of Jackson Shrine.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Publications concerning Civil War history available for purchase. Hours: Daily, mid-Jun through Labor Day. Mar to mid-Jun, and Labor Day through Oct, open Fri-Tu. The rest of the year, Sat-Mon. Inquire at the visitor center during the off season to confirm opening hours. Window tour is available when building is closed. Brochures in distribution box at the shrine.
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