Appomattox Court House National Historical Park [VA]
The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park commemorates the official surrender of the Confederate Army, through General Robert E. Lee, to the Union, in the personage of General Ulysses S. Grant, in 1865. This event marked the end of the Civil War. The 1,700-acre site includes 17 original buildings, a visitor's center, and a reconstruction of the McLean House, within which the surrender took place. The McLean house is furnished to period, and includes surrounding structures accessible to the public—a kitchen, outhouse, and slave quarters. Collection highlights include the pencil which General Lee used to correct the terms of surrender.
The park offers McLean House tours, living history programs, exhibits, two 15-minute slide presentations, and a professional development workshop for educators. The website offers information on renting the park introductory films; a teacher packet including basic historical background, study questions, and activities; and lesson plans in accordance with state educational standards.
