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National Park Service activities commemorate 100th anniversary

8/26/2016, 10:12 a.m.
National parks in Richmond and Petersburg are hosting events this weekend commemorating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the ...

National parks in Richmond and Petersburg are hosting events this weekend commemorating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service.

Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site are holding a free, daylong bus tour highlighting Richmond’s Civil War and civil rights history Saturday, Aug. 27.

The tour, “100 for 100: History and Preservation of Richmond’s National Parks,” will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the park sites are preserved, managed and interpreted.

Park rangers will narrate the history of the sites, including the Jackson Ward home of Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman founder and president of a bank in the United States, Fort Harrison, Malvern Hill battlefield and Rural Plains.

“Richmond’s history is our nation’s history, and we are excited and honored to celebrate this centennial anniversary with the community,” said David Ruth, superintendent of the NPS’s Richmond site.

The tour is open to the first 100 registrants by calling (804) 226-5028, or by emailing Bert_Dunkerly@nps.gov.

Petersburg’s National Battlefield Park will host a National Park-themed movie and trivia night to commemorate the 100th birthday. The free activities begin at 7 p.m., with snow cones, popcorn and trivia events.

Petersburg’s Eastern Front Unit is at 5001 Siege Road in Petersburg.

For more information, please call (804) 732-3531, or email Ann_Blumenschine@nps.gov.

On Aug. 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service to conserve the nation’s scenery and wildlife for future generations.