Heritage Days will feature history, family fun

SUTHERLAND, VAThe 13th annual Southside Virginia Heritage Days in Dinwiddie County has added new exhibitors and living-history demonstrations to give a more rounded and accurate picture of what life was like in Southside Virginia before and during the American Civil War.

Heritage Days will be Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

The event commemorates the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Sutherland Station that took place at the site on April 2, 1865. It will feature 19th-century civilian and military living-history demonstrations, as well as tours of the 1803-plantation house Fork Inn, which sits on the site.

New participants this year include members of the 46th Virginia Infantry, Company C 9th Virginia and Poague's Battery, who will be bringing a Mountain Howitzer, a 24-lb bronze Coehorn mortar and a 12-lb steel Coehorn mortar. They will be joined by other reenactor groups, both Confederate and Union, including the 20th Maine Infantry. Several times throughout both days there will be live firing and drill demonstrations.

Other new exhibitors this year include the Paranormal Investigators of the Tri-Cities, a local group of investigators who use modern techniques and scientific equipment to help determine the possible presence of ghosts, spirits and other unexplained supernatural occurrences. Headed up by Dinwiddie resident Jimmy Simmons, the group will demonstrate their findings of a detailed investigation that took place at Fork Inn several months ago, as well as explain how they've helped other owners of 19th-century homes understand more about the suspected paranormal activities at their homes.

The family-oriented educational event was started 13 years ago by Darrell Olgers, owner and resident of Fork Inn, in an effort to educate visitors about early and mid 19th-century life. "So much has changed and is quickly being forgotten about our past," Olgers said. "This event is a fun way for families to learn a little about the history of the surrounding area and about the way people lived not so long ago."

At the center of the event is Historic Fork Inn, an 1803 plantation home that has been restored to serve as a showcase of early 19th-century life. The 14-room house and original outbuildings served as a 19th-century inn and tavern, a Union army hospital, and one of Southside Virginia's first post offices. The plantation was also the unwitting site of the April 2, 1865 Battle of Sutherland Station, the last organized battle of the Siege of Petersburg. Today, Fork Inn is the home of Darrell, Michelle and Emma Olgers. The house is decorated with a large and diverse collection of late 18thand early 19th-century furnishings, many of which are new to the collection.

"Even our youngest visitors enjoy the outdoor living history demonstrations and tales of tavern brawls, hidden treasure and even ghosts during the house tour," said Olgers' wife, Michelle, who now helps organize and promote the annual event. "The Civil War-era wooden leg, visible bullet holes in several pieces of furniture, and the old kitchen, where costumed interpreters serve just-cooked tastes of 19th-century recipes make the history really come alive for visitors of all ages."

Historic Fork Inn is in Sutherland 10 minutes west of Petersburg. It is at the intersection of U.S. 460 and state Route 708 (Namozine Road) in Dinwiddie. From Richmond or Petersburg, take I-95 South to I-85 South to Exit 61. Turn right onto U.S. Rt. 460 West, drive 4 miles and turn right on Route 708 (immediately past the Texaco gas station). Historic Fork Inn is on the left.

For more information on Southside Virginia Heritage Days, call (804) 304-4200, or email .