Museum Events

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Each year, the Virginia Museum of the Civil War hosts a number of events focused on the loaction’s unique history and ability to offer unique perspectives on the Civil War era.

Battle of New Market Tour and Commemoration

Held annually on the anniversary of the famous battle, the museum offers a limited guided tour experience on May 15 and commemorative activities and demonstrations on the surrounding weekend.

Commemoration Overview

Join us as we remember the Battle of New Market that raged across Jacob Bushong’s farm and the soldiers that struggled there. Special emphasis will highlight the role of the Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute that were asked to fill a gap in the Confederate battle line and helped to turn the tide of the battle.

Activities and cooking demonstrations at the Bushong Farm, military drill, live black powder demonstrations, and camp life. Special guests the Society of Civil War surgeons will conduct multiple medical demonstrations over the course of the weekend.

Daily Schedule

2026 details can be found below for reference. 2027 details will be released in early Spring.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

10 a.m. – Artillery Firing Kickoff
10 – 10:30 a.m. – Union Army Drill and Black Powder Demos
10:30 – 11 a.m. – Medical Demo
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Drill Instruction with Confederate Army
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Guided Battlefield Tour
12:30 – 1 p.m. – Artillery Demo & Talk
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. – Medical Demo
2 – 2:30 p.m. – Drill Instruction with Union Army
2:30 – 3 p.m. – Confederate Army Drill and Black Powder Demos
3 – 3:45 p.m.—Guided Battlefield Tour
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.– Artillery Demo & Talk
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. – Battle of New Market Talk
3:45 – 4:15 p.m. – Civil War Era Rounders Game (Baseball)
5 p.m. – Museum and grounds close to public
Film Showings: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – Union Army Drill & Walk to 54^th PA Monument for Ceremony
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.—Guided Battlefield Tour
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. – Medical Demo
11:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Confederate Ceremony at Woodson’s Monument
Immediately Following Confederate Ceremony – Cadet Ceremony at Orchard Fence plus Artillery Firing
12:15 – 12:45 p.m. – Artillery Demo & Talk
1 – 1:30 p.m. – Confederate Drill & Live Black Powder Demos
1:45 – 2:15 p.m. – Medical Demo
2:15 – 3 p.m. – Guided Battlefield Tour
5 p.m. – Museum & Grounds Close to the public
NOTE: No 9 a.m. Film

Programming Offered All Weekend

Military Camp Life
Cooking Demonstrations at the Bushong Farm
Civil War Music
Bushong Farm and House open for self-guided tours
Period games & dancing at the Bushong Farm
Shopping in the General’s Store

Civil War Day Camp

Is your kid a history buff? Do they love hands-on learning? Are you looking for an educational and exciting opportunity for your child?

All of these are great reasons to sign up for the Civil War Day Camp at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Open to children ages 7-12; this program has something for everyone. Each camp day will focus on a different theme. Find out what Civil War life was like for Confederate and Union soldiers, VMI Cadets and civilians on the home front. Play the games they played. Eat the food they ate. Drill like they did. Walk in history’s footsteps at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War Day Camp at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park!

Registration opens each spring for the mid-July event.

Children in a group practicing military formations during summer camp.

Spirits of New Market

Explore the battlefield after hours and step back in time with our annual lantern tour program, “Spirits of New Market,” as we celebrate the indomitable spirit of those whose lives were impacted by the Battle of New Market. You’ll follow your guide on a lantern-lit tour of the Battlefield encountering living historians portraying the soldiers, townsfolk, and Bushong family. While interacting with the characters, you’ll be able to lend aid to the wounded, ask questions and experience the Battlefield in a whole new way.

Each walking tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and covers approximately ½ mile over grass and gravel.

Details are posted in late summer/early fall.

Christmas on the Farm

Each year, we celebrate the holiday season at the museum, battlefield, and Bushong Farm! Explore the museum and make take home crafts, enjoy festive treats, and see a special Christmas film. Take a step back into 1859 and visit the Bushong family as they cook, sing, and tell stories in anticipation of a special Christmas visitor.

Event tickets typically go on sale the first week of December , and can be purchased at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Event prices are $10 per adult (ages 13 and older) $6 per youth (ages 6-12), Children 5 and under are free, $5 for New Market residents (ages 6+) with proof of residency. Receive one free admission with the donation of four non-perishable food items. Donations will benefit our local food pantry.

All event tickets are only valid the day of the event.