History and Culture Day
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Pocahontas State Park
Virginia’s state parks will host History and Culture Day on June 15, 2024, to celebrate Virginia State Parks’ 88th anniversary. The park system opened on June 15, 1936, with just six parks — Douthat, First Landing, Fairy Stone, Staunton River, Hungry Mother and Westmoreland. They offered modern outdoor recreational facilities while protecting areas with significant natural resources.
Since then, the system has grown to 43 parks, with one located within an hour’s drive of most Virginians. They offer more than 2,000 campsites, nearly 300 cabins, more than 500 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia's major waterways. In addition, parks hold thousands of nature and history events every year.
Join us for History and Culture Day and help us celebrate 88 years of conservation and recreation. From cultural demonstrations to kayaking tours, our parks will offer something for everyone on June 15.
Learn more about Virginia State Parks' history.
Upcoming Events
June 15, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
Join Twin Lakes State Park during our celebration of Virginia State Park History and Culture Day.
June 15, 2024. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Museum
In observance of Virginia State Park's History and Culture Day on June 15, the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a Civil War Bus Tour.
June 15, 2024. 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Ride with a park guide as we experience Smith Mountain Lake from a boat.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
All of the park's original facilities back in the 1930's were built by hand.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wilderness Road State Park
Journey to Martin’s Station and immerse yourself on Virginia’s frontier at the beginning of the American Revolution.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park
Calling all history (and kayak) lovers! Celebrate Virginia State Park's 88th anniversary with us on a guided kayaking tour!
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Bear Creek Lake State Park
The land that holds each Virginia State Park has its own story.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park
Belle Isle became a Virginia State Park in the1990s but this 892-acre property has a long history. Join a ranger on the grounds of the historic Belle Isle Manor House to hear the latest update on the house restoration project and stories of the people who lived and worked the land before it became Belle Isle.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pocahontas State Park
How did Pocahontas State Park come to be? What are the "Original 6" State Parks?
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Celebrate the rich history and culture of Virginia's State Parks by diving into the archaeological work that has been done on Mason Neck.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Holliday Lake State Park
Celebrate Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day at Holliday Lake State Park!
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park
Two chances to catch gold fever.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Pocahontas State Park
Join park staff, volunteers and community partners for a series of events celebrating African-American culture, resilience, and joy.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Natural Bridge.
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park
"Wood" You Like to Play?
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
York River State Park
How did African slavery begin in the Virginia Colony and did they seek freedom from their condition? Did any European indentured servants and Native Americans resist their lot as well? Walking with us you will discover stories of rebellious conspiracies and courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors. .
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
York River State Park
Embrace the history of the upper York River region this weekend from the colonial period to today. Learn about plots for freedom by indentured servants and enslaved people with the Rebellion & Runaway Walk. Discover the rise and continued heritage of independent waterfront communities with the Afro American Waterman's Display. .
June 15, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Caledon State Park
It's Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day!
June 15, 2024. 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Ride with a park guide as we experience Smith Mountain Lake from a boat.
June 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
Learn about the fascinating history of our park, our lake, and the surrounding area.
June 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
First Landing State Park
Travel through time during the 2024 Virginia State Parks History and Culture celebration at First Landing State Park. Check out a replica artifact touch table, participate in games inspired by the indigenous cultures of Virginia Tribal Nations, and attend guided hikes all to do with the history of the park, CCC, and Cape Henry region.
June 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park
Surviving as a colonist was drastically different and more complex than the 21st century, but we can still find similarities between them and us.
June 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sky Meadows State Park
In 1860, nearly half of Fauquier County's 21,706 residents were enslaved, with fourteen enslaved individuals living at the Mount Bleak Farm.
June 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Westmoreland State Park
One of the original 6, Westmoreland State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); a New Deal era program intended to help restore morale during the Great Depression.
June 15, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Spend History and Culture Day at Natural Tunnel State Park and tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as rangers provide information about the history of the building and area.
June 15, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Spend History and Culture Day with us by stepping back in time to participate in games played in the 18th century.
June 15, 2024. 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Chippokes State Park
This historical building tour is designed to highlight the architecture of the time, designs, furnishings, special touches, ornate decor, and stories within the walls of the Jones-Stewart Mansion.
June 15, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
This Father's Day, explore some of the lineage of the two most famous Civil War generals: Lee and Grant.
June 15, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Head on over to the park to meet Ranger Parker Redfox, the Virginia State Parks mascot.
June 15, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park
Come learn about Palmer Hayden, a renowned Widewater artist who is known for his paintings of everyday life in African-American communities.
June 15, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
York River State Park
From the Colonial Era thru today, black watermen have been a part of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry in all levels. Discover the communities built on harvesting fish and shellfish giving African Americans financial freedom even in the Jim Crow years. Even today, we can help improve the bay so that everyone can enjoy it’s beauty and bounty.
June 15, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Once the smoke cleared, Johnny Reb and Billy Yank would often collapse from exhaustion and set up camp for the night. What did a military camp look like? Was it dangerous to be in camp? Come out for an interactive experience with our rangers as we walk you through the lives of the soldiers from both North and South.
June 15, 2024. 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
Celebrate the anniversary of Virginia State Parks with a scenic guided walk along the New River.
June 15, 2024. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Historically, trees have provided us with shelter as we've used them to make various structures and enjoyed the warmth they provide as we've built fires from them.
June 15, 2024. 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Join us at the beach for an engaging interpretive program exploring the rich history of our park and the pivotal role of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
June 15, 2024. 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Join our amazing volunteer and Master Naturalist, Darin Handy, as he shows us all sorts of amazing live critters from our region.
June 15, 2024. 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park
Mystery of History Hike - Interpretive Area.
June 15, 2024. 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Staunton River State Park
Join us on a ranger-led wagon ride through history. We will take you on a tour of our beautiful park, stopping at multiple places along the way to interpret the amazing history of Staunton River State Park.
June 15, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Spend a nice summer's evening sitting around the campfire with storyteller Melanie Smith as she spins tales that span Appalachian culture.
June 15, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
False Cape State Park
In celebration of Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day, False Cape State Park will offer a special night tour to Wash Woods.
June 15, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Powhatan State Park
On Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day, step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.
Jan. 1, 2024 12:00 a.m. - Dec. 31, 2024 12:00 a.m.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.
