2024 Calendar of events
Event information is subject to adjustment and new events may be added.
March
April
20th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
May
11th – Kid’s Civil War Camp at Cedar Creek
For over a decade, the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation has hosted Civil War Kid’s Camp for veteran camp goers and first time recruits alike! Come experience the daily life of a Civil War soldier from enlistment, drill, medicine, camp life, and everything in between! Learn a bit about the spies in the Winchester area, play period games, learn how to cook over the fire by watching a demonstration, do laundry by hand, and more!
Camp is open to recruits ages 8 to 14. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration includes two take home gifts for campers to keep!
Please provide rations (lunch) and a full canteen (water bottle) for your recruit! Additional water will be provided.
Check-In and Drop-Off: 9:45AM – 10:00AM
Camp: 10:00AM – 2:30PM
Check-Out and Pick-Up: 2:30PM 2:45PM
Registration can be found HERE!
25th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
June
1st – Volunteer Open House
Join us for our first Volunteer Open House anytime 10:00AM to 5:00PM! As we enter our “busy” season, CCBF hopes to expand our volunteer core to meet the needs of our growing community engagement, daily visitor count, program hosting, and historic landscape care. Enjoy light refreshments (while supplies last), learn more about volunteer opportunities in a wide range of fields, and even submit a Volunteer Application to join our team, all during the same visit!
Questions? Please call our office at 540-869-2064.
To learn more about volunteering with CCBF or complete an application online, please visit us at https://ccbf.us/volunteer/.
15th -Book Signing with Winchester Tales Author, Mike Robinson, 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Join Mike Robinson, regional historian and author of the often sold out Winchester Tales book series, for an afternoon book signing of his titles at the FREE Museum and Visitor Center of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation in Middletown! Join us anytime 1PM to 3PM to meet Mike, explore the Museum and Civil War site, and be a tourist in your back yard!
15th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
22nd – 2.5 Hour Guided Tour of the Cedar Creek Battlefield with Licensed Battlefield Guide, Eric Lindblade
Join us for a special event weekend of guided tours of the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek! This series of 2.5 hour introductory tours led by Eric Lindblade, a Licensed Battlefield Guide from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, will explore multiple stops that give an overview of the landscape and scope of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Tours will also touch on topics such as the 1864 Valley Campaign, Civil War medicine, the civilian experience, the Confederate withdrawal, and more. All proceeds from registration fees will directly support the Heater House Restoration Fund.
Meet your guide! Eric Lindblade developed a passion for the American Civil War at just six years old after a visit to Gettysburg. He attended East Carolina University, is the author of “Fight As Long As Possible” – The Battle of Newport Barracks – February 2, 1864, and is currently completing a study of the 26th North Carolina and the Gettysburg Campaign. Lindblade is the co-host of the popular The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast and has served as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park since 2016. Over the course of his career, he has conducted thousands of hours worth of tours on battlefields across the United States.
Registration can be found HERE!
July
4th – Middletown’s Fourth of July Parade
Visit Middletown for our annual Fourth of July Parade!
13th – 4.5 Hour Guided Tours of the Cedar Creek Battlefield with Joseph Whitehorne
Join us for a special event guided tour of the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek! This 4.5 hour in depth tour led by Joseph Whitehorne, narrator of The Battle of Cedar Creek documentary film and developer of the Self-Guided Tour Book of the Cedar Creek Battlefield, will explore multiple stops that give an overview of the landscape and scope of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Registration for this tour not only offers the opportunity for a one-of-a-kind experience at the Cedar Creek Battlefield, but also encourages attendees to continue their study of the battle with a copy of both The Battle of Cedar Creek documentary film and the Self-Guided Tour Book of the Cedar Creek Battlefield to take home! All proceeds from registration fees will directly support the Heater House Restoration Fund.
Registration can be found HERE!
20th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
August
3rd – 2.5 Hour Guided Tour of the Cedar Creek Battlefield
Join us for a special event guided tour of the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek! This 2.5 hour introductory tour led by Eric Lindblade, a Licensed Battlefield Guide from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, will explore multiple stops that give an overview of the landscape and scope of the Battle of Cedar Creek. This tour will also touch on topics such as the 1864 Valley Campaign, Civil War medicine, the civilian experience, the Confederate withdrawal, and more.
Registration can be found HERE!
9th and 10th – Route 11 Yard Crawl
Join us again for the 19th Annual Route 11 Yard Crawl!
20’x20′ Selling Spaces:
$25 Friday Only
$35 Friday and Saturday
50 Spaces in a mowed grass area and parking available!
Call 540-869-2064 to reserve!
24th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
August 24th – September 2nd – Hungry for History
Details coming soon!
September
7th and 8th – Civil War, Militaria, and Collectors Show
Join the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation for their first Civil War, Militaria, and Collectors Show, this September 7th and 8th! During this weekend event, you will be able to see original artifacts from multiple points in American history up close, chat with authors and historic preservation organizations, browse historic reproduction goods from a variety of makers, talk to living historians, and more! 50/50 raffle, door prizes, free parking, and restaurant on site. All admission tickets, raffles, and vendor fees directly support the fundraising efforts of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. Vendors, authors, and historians of multiple eras wanted, but please, no “dug” relic sales. For more information, follow the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation on Facebook or call our office anytime at 540-869-2064.
50+ vendors and displays! Authors, exhibits, buy/sell, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, interactive family activities, and more!
Saturday 8:00AM to 9:00AM (Early Bird)
9:00AM to 5:00PM (General Admission Time)
Sunday 9:00AM to 3:00PM
General Adult – $5
Children 12 and under – FREE
Early Bird Preview – $15
14th and 15th – The 124th NYSV “The Orange Blossoms”
Join us at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday September 14th or Sunday the 15th, for a weekend of family friendly programs and activities hosted by living historians. Our living historians portraying the 124th New York State Volunteers (USA) will offer camp cooking demonstrations, muster in new recruits, practice drill, talk about the life of the average soldier and their equipment, and more! Activities will begin in the morning and continue throughout the day.
21st – Kid’s Civil War Camp at Cedar Creek
For over a decade, the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation has hosted Civil War Kid’s Camp for veteran camp goers and first time recruits alike! Come experience the daily life of a Civil War soldier from enlistment, drill, medicine, camp life, and everything in between! Learn a bit about the spies in the Winchester area, play period games, learn how to cook over the fire by watching a demonstration, do laundry by hand, and more!
Camp is open to recruits ages 8 to 14. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration includes two take home gifts for campers to keep!
Please provide rations (lunch) and a full canteen (water bottle) for your recruit! Additional water will be provided.
Check-In and Drop-Off: 9:45AM – 10:00AM
Camp: 10:00AM – 2:30PM
Check-Out and Pick-Up: 2:30PM 2:45PM
Registration can be found HERE!
28th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
28th – The McGuires of Winchester
Presentation 2:00PM to 3:00PM. Details coming soon!
October
11th – Worlds of Work Career Fair
Nearly 3,000 eighth grade students from the region will experience WoW! The event is designed to be a hands-on exploration of possible careers. In Virginia, students begin considering their career journey in middle school. Worlds of Work provides an immersive career exploration experience. During the event, students move through 10 different industry sectors, or “Work Worlds,” and participate in brief, hands-on activities. More than 70 businesses showcase equipment, vehicles, and machinery that students climb into, fix, and manipulate. There are animals students can touch and care for as well as life-like mannequins they might splint and stitch. Worlds of Work is open to all students in the 7-district region. As part of their regular curriculum, all 8th grade public school students in the WoW! service region will attend Worlds of Work. Children who attend private schools or are home-schooled are also invited to participate. More information: https://www.explorefrederickcareers.com/partnerships/wow.
12th – 4.5 Hour Guided Tours of the Cedar Creek Battlefield with Joseph Whitehorne
Join us for a special event guided tour of the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek! This 4.5 hour in depth tour led by Joseph Whitehorne, narrator of The Battle of Cedar Creek documentary film and developer of the Self-Guided Tour Book of the Cedar Creek Battlefield, will explore multiple stops that give an overview of the landscape and scope of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Registration for this tour not only offers the opportunity for a one-of-a-kind experience at the Cedar Creek Battlefield, but also encourages attendees to continue their study of the battle with a copy of both The Battle of Cedar Creek documentary film and the Self-Guided Tour Book of the Cedar Creek Battlefield to take home! All proceeds from registration fees will directly support the Heater House Restoration Fund.
Registration can be found HERE!
19th and 20th – 160th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek
Join us for this special weekend as history comes to life! During this two day event, reenactors recreate the last major battle in the Shenandoah Valley. See cavalry, artillery, and infantry soldiers in action and in camp. Battle scenarios, music, symposia, and medical, military, and civilian demonstrations are scheduled everyday. Fundraising raffles, merchants, and food vendors onsite. More information available here!
November
2nd – An Afternoon Presentation with Eric Buckland, 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Mosby’s Rangers Historian Eric Buckland will give a special presentation titled, “Playing Outside Of The Box: Places & Personalities.” This presentation will discuss the Ranger’s actions and engagements in the Shenandoah Valley and the unique personalities who were involved. A book signing will also be available in the Museum’s Digital Media space before and after the presentation.
Eric Buckland has written several books about the lives of some of the men who rode with the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry – Mosby’s Rangers and has given over 100 presentations about the stories in his books. He has appeared on C-Span and had two articles published in America’s Civil War magazine. Eric is a graduate of the University of Kansas and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. The majority of his 22-year military career was spent in Special Forces. He retired in 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Some of his awards include the Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Combat Diver Badge, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He retired at the end of 2021 from his second career as a Policy Analyst for the United States Government. He is currently in his third term as President of The Stuart-Mosby Historical Society
9th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
December
1st – Middletown’s Christmas Parade
Visit Middletown for our annual Christmas Parade and see the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation as we ride and march down main street!
7th and 8th – Christmas Open House
We invite you to join us at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation’s FREE Museum and Visitor for some holiday cheer and a walk through our decorated Museum exhibits! Enjoy a Christmas story time at noon and 2:00PM each day, coloring pages, scavenger hunts, shop for unique gifts (books, candles, t-shirts, stickers, soaps, teas, coffees, decor, and more), and enjoy a fresh hot chocolate/coffee and cookies (while supplies last)!
7th – Curator’s Corner, 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Join Museum Curator Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley for an hour of behind the scenes work on museum exhibits and interactive program development. Stop by to ask questions about the exhibit design process, artifacts on display, or observe museum development “in action.” New artifacts, display elements, and experiences are added regularly. No two Curator’s Corner days will be the same!
2025 Calendar of events
Event information is subject to adjustment and new events may be added.
January
11th – A Revolutionary Afternoon with Joseph Whitehorne
The first of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation’s Virginia 250 Presentation Series. Details coming soon!
