Special October programs highlight Shenandoah Valley history

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park and its partners will offer a series of special National Park Service ranger programs and other events this October to highlight various stories related to the history of the Shenandoah Valley.

“These programs will give visitors a chance to explore important events of the Valley,” said Eric Campbell, the park’s chief of interpretation. “We will cover a numerous subjects and offer a wide variety of events, including a Star Gazing Party, a special talk at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in conjunction with their African-American Quilt Exhibit “And Still We Rise…” and a series of programs, activities and events as part of the 152^nd Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Cedar Creek.”

These special presentations include both the popular “History at Sunset” programs and also the new “Battlefield Series” programs.  All of these programs are free and last between 90 minutes to two hours.

* October 1  National Park Service Star Gazing Party (7:00 pm) Come look through our telescopes, or bring yours and we can show you how to use it. Co-sponsored by the National Park Service, the Shenandoah Astronomical Society and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.  Meet at the Thoburn Property, Bowman’s Mill Road, Middletown (the site will be marked by signs).  For more information see:www.nps.gov/cebe or call (540) 869-3051. (Rain date October 29^th).

* October 8  Battlefield Series: “Boys, when they come, aim low and give them one good steady fire!”  The Battle of Hupp’s Hill  Less than a week before the Battle of Cedar Creek, a short, but bitterly fought engagement took place on the slopes of Hupp’s Hill, just north of Strasburg.  Join Park Ranger Jeff Driscoll as he describes this important, yet largely forgotten, fight and its impact on Cedar Creek six days later.  Meet at the Hupp’s Hill Civil War Park (33229 Old Valley Pike, Strasburg).

* October 14-16  152^nd Anniversary Battle of Cedar Creek Commemoration –Programs and Events The National Park Service and its partners will host a series of special activities, events and programs to commemorate the battle.  Includes: living history, battle reenactments, lectures, demonstrations, sutlers row and much more.  Some events are ticketed. Middletown, VA. (For a complete schedule see:www.nps.gov/cebe or call (540) 869-3051.

Special Ranger Anniversary Programs

• “The Fatal Halt” Tour (Friday, Oct. 14, 1:00 pm) NPS Visitor Contact Station
• History at Sunset: Battle of Cedar Creek Tour (Friday, Oct. 14, 4:00 pm)  NPS Visitor Contact Station
• Defense of Belle Grove (Saturday, Oct. 15, 9:00 am) NPS Visitor Contact Station
• Battle of Cedar Creek in a Box (Saturday Oct. 15, 11:30, 1:30, 4:00) Belle Grove
• Battle of Cedar Creek Tour (Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:00 am) starts at NPS Visitor Contact Station
• Battle of Cedar Creek in a Box (Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30, 12:00, 3:00) Belle Grove

For a complete schedule and other details see: www.nps.gov/cebe or call (540) 869-3051.

* October 26  “Struggles for Freedom” Historic Quilt Talk at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (2:00).  In conjunction with the Museum’s special exhibit “’And Still We Rise’: African American Story Quilts” Ranger Shannon Moeck will lead  a conversation exploring how African-American made quilts reflect the history and culture of the antebellum Shenandoah Valley.  Learn about how the Valley enslaved population struggled for freedom. Also, learn about how Shenandoah Valley residents responded to the attempted slave uprising at Harper’s Ferry in 1859 and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. For more information on the exhibit see:www.themsv.org/news-room/african-american-story-quilt-exhibition-opens-msv

For details and updates, call (540) 869-3051 or see: www.nps.gov/cebe.