Virginia Motorsports Park – Historic Attractions

Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Virginia, is a dynamic venue that hosts numerous energetic motorsport events. Their dragway is perfect for drag racing and BMX bike performances, while the Dirt Park features truck and tractor pulls, motocross, and mud bog competitions. Virginia Motorsports Park also holds special events like the country fair and rugged obstacle courses.

While there are many exciting events going on at Virginia Motorsports Park, the surrounding area has its own appeal. The nearby city of Petersburg is dense with historical significance. Petersburg was a 17th-century hub for transportation, featuring an extensive railroad network. Because of this, Petersburg played an important role in the Civil War. It was the site of battles, soldier encampments, and general headquarters. History lovers should consider a tour through Petersburg, as there are almost endless historically significant destinations.

The most impressive concentration of historic sites in Petersburg is located at Pamplin Historical Park. This expansive, 424-acre campus is home to museums, historic buildings, battlefields, and more. This historic site is only a seven-minute drive away. Visitors can get guided tours of the attractions or pick up an audio guide and set out on their own. Below are some of the important sites in Pamplin Historical Park that are worth checking out.

National Museum of the Civil War Soldier

Inside Pamplin Historical Park is the award-winning National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Here, guests can get a closer look into the lives of Civil War Soldiers through various exhibits and audio tours.

The museum provides MP3 players to each guest, which tell the story of an individual soldier. This soldier narrates each exhibit, and at the end of the tour, guests find out the fate of their narrator. The museum also contains a Remembrance Wall which features the name of each person that died during the Civil War.

Tudor Hall Plantation

Close to the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier is Tudor Hall Plantation. This home from 1812 has been carefully restored to reflect its original appearance. Tudor Hall Plantation is filled with antique, 19th-century furniture and decor that recreates what civilian life was like at the time. Tudor Hall Plantation also contains a working kitchen, slave quarter, garden, and barns that still house animals.

The Field Quarter

In order to get an understanding of the life of those enslaved on plantations, visit The Field Quarter. Through films and reconstructed cabins, this exhibit gives visitors a better understanding of the everyday life and the living conditions of slaves on plantations. The Field Quarter also features a film that shares a candid view of slavery. This is an important exhibit to see while visiting Pamplin Historical Park.

Military Encampment

The Military Encampment at Pamplin Historical Park is a series of structures on the former grounds of a Civil War-era brigade. This recreation of a Civil War camp includes shelters such as canvas tents and wooden huts.

In addition to the housing conditions, the Military Encampment gives a glimpse into the everyday life of soldiers of that time. There are exhibits on cooking, rifle care and maintenance, drumming during battles, and uniforms, which you can try on.

The Breakthrough Trail

Guests have the opportunity to walk through the site of an 1865 Civil War battle by visiting The Breakthrough Trail. There are multiple paths to take on this trail, varying from 15 to 45 minutes in length. On these trails, guests will see rifle pits, artillery redans, fortifications, and other Civil War-era structures used during the battle. These impressively preserved sites give guests a deeper understanding of the battle that occurred on the grounds.

The Banks House

In April of 1865, The Banks House in Pamplin Historical Park served as the headquarters of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, during the battle on Breakthrough Trail. The Lieutenant General chose this house because it provided a clear view of the battle nearby.

Visitors can explore The Banks House’s slave quarters, which are some of the only original slave dwellings remaining in Virginia. The restored, four-room structure reflects its original appearance during the Civil War.

U.S. Army Women’s Museum

In addition to Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg contains various significant museums. U.S. Army Women’s Museum, 21 minutes from Virginia Motorsports Park, is one of them. This incredible museum is the only one in the entire world dedicated to the contributions made by women in the Army. The interactive exhibits and videos cover the actions of female patriots from the Revolutionary War to the present.

At U.S. Army Women’s Museum, guests will learn about the ever-evolving role of women in the armed forces. Female citizens have done everything from working telephone switch boards to serving in army hospitals, performing in Army bands, and becoming pilots. One of the exhibits is about women’s Army uniforms, which they had to make them themselves since they were not available at the time. One of the most unique roles was that of Japanese-American women, who served as translators during World War II. The U.S. Army Women’s Museum is a must-visit for anyone in the area, as its unique exhibits are unlike any other in the world.

Centre Hill Mansion

Just 15 minutes from Virginia Motorsports Park is Centre Hill Mansion, one of the most famous homes in Petersburg. This outstanding, stately home was built by Captain Robert Bolling IV, a wealthy tobacco tycoon who served in a cavalry unit. Centre Hill Mansion hosted multiple presidents over the course of history, including John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, and William Howard Taft.

The house now serves as a museum that reflects its original grandeur as the former home of 19th-century aristocracy. Guests can see memorabilia, photographs, and dresses, as well as recreated bedrooms and a dining room. One of the most impressive parts of Centre Hill Mansion’s decor is its antique furniture, which originated from First Baptist Church in Petersburg, the oldest African-American congregation in the United States. History lovers in the Petersburg area should absolutely consider a visit to Centre Hill Mansion.

Petersburg served an important role in the Civil War, making it the ideal destination for American history buffs. There are countless more historical attractions in the area, but with this list, you’re sure to get a head start. After attending a riled-up rally at Virginia Motorsports Park, get a change of pace by taking a trip through time.