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
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!
3rd and 4th – 2nd Wisconsin Living History Weekend
Join us at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday August 3rd or Sunday the 4th, for a weekend of family friendly programs and activities hosted by living historians. Our living historians portraying the 2nd Wisconsin (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.
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!
17th and 18th – Family Living History Weekend
Join us at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday the 17th or Sunday the 18th, for a weekend of family friendly programs and activities hosted by living historians. Our costumed living historians will host cooking demonstrations, muster in new recruits and practice drill, talk about the life of the average soldier and their equipment, have Civil War medicine displays, play period games and tell stories about life as a civilian during the American Civil War, cavalry with their horses will talk about the important roles of horses during the war, and much more! Activities will begin in the morning and continue throughout the day. While visiting, be sure to stop in to our free museum where scavenger hunts and prizes await! We recommend making a day of it by packing a picnic to enjoy while overlooking the Valley, hiking the trails, and visiting our Partners at the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Though there are many family focused activities, everyone is welcome!
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 – Special Event Announcement
Coming Soon!
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
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 in the Winter Quarters Living History Weekend
Details coming soon!
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!
