Free bus tour will highlight Revolutionary War sites in Petersburg

Petersburg resident Jim Ryan will lead a bus tour of important Revolutionary War sites throughout the city of Petersburg on April 18. The tour is free, but seats are limited to the first 24 registrants. The one-hour program will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Battersea Mansion and is sponsored by the Historic Petersburg Foundation, Inc. (HPF) and the city of Petersburg's Department of Tourism. At the conclusion of the tour, participants can enjoy lunch from the vendors on the grounds, tour Battersea Mansion and watch the battle re-enactment at 1:30 p.m. All are part of the annual Battersea Revolutionary War encampment and commemorative re-enactment of the battle fought at the site on April 25, 1781.

Battersea is at the west end of Washington Street in Petersburg, 1.7 miles from the I-95 Washington Street exit.

Bus tour participants also can enjoy a free, period-themed dinner of roasted pig with all the trimmings at 6 p.m. on the grounds. Reservations for dinner must be made at the same time reservations are made for the bus tour. Last-minute dinner guests will not be accepted.

Ryan has published several books on the history of Southside Virginia. He is a past president of HPF, Rotary Club of Petersburg, Petersburg Area Art League and West Point Society of Richmond, as well as the current chairman of U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes' Service Academy Selection Committee.

The two-day Battersea commemorative re-enactment draws many re-created American, British, German, French, Native American and Spanish units that document their lineage to service in the American Revolution. Throughout the weekend, there are continuing military camp life and battlefield demonstrations conducted for the education of both participants and the public. These demonstrations feature infantry, cavalry, artillery, a field hospital, various crafts, camp cooking, and a range of sutlers selling 18th-century wares.

Battersea was the home of Col. John Banister, Petersburg's first mayor, in the 1700s and has been under restoration for several years. There are 35 acres for encampment and tactical demonstrations on the site that Lord Charles Cornwallis' troops occupied in May 1781.

HPF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leading the preservation and restoration of Petersburg's historic architecture and neighborhoods and to tell their story.

For more information on the tour, call HPF at (804) 732-2096 or the Petersburg Visitor Center at (804) 733-2400.