Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 15 through April 30, per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Their War is Over: Prisoners, Casualties, and Their Unknown Destinations

Location of Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park in Virginia

Where

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park, 6541 Saylers Creek Rd., Rice, VA 23966.
Hillsman House

When

April 5, 2025. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Step back into a tumultuous moment in American history with "Their War is Over: Prisoners, Casualties, and Their Unknown Destinations," a lantern-lit self-guided tour at the historic Hillsman House on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Immerse yourself in the raw aftermath of the Civil War as you move through an authentic re-creation of a working field hospital, complete with makeshift cots and the hushed urgency of battlefield medicine. Experience an artillery park demonstration, then step into the disciplined life of an infantry encampment, where you’ll witness the soldiers’ nighttime activities: from cooking around the fire to standing picket duty under the stars. Finally, follow the path of uncertainty through a POW holding and processing station, where captured men await news of their fate; it's an all-too-common story in the chaos of war.

Guided only by lantern light and vivid storytelling, this unique tour captures the drama, the desperation, and the hope that lingered in every corner of the conflict. Don’t miss your chance to see, hear, and feel the echoes of history brought to life in a setting that will engage all your senses. Join us for Their War is Over and confront the human stories behind the uniforms. Let the flickering lanterns illuminate the courageous and the fearful, the victors and the vanished, and discover the powerful legacy they left behind.

Parking will be at the Hillsman House. This program will include walking, standing, sitting, and maneuvering in the dark. Red tinted flashlights are encouraged. Please dress appropriately and comfortably for unpredictable weather conditions.

Call the park Visitor Center at (804) 561-7510 or email at sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov, for more information. Visit Homespun Historical Ventures for re-enactor registration and information.

photo of reenactors at the Hillsman House

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 804-561-7510
Email Address: SailorsCreek@dcr.virginia.gov