On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Questions remained: could the nation reunite as one? How would emancipation be realized?

The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest (ABSF) is Virginia’s largest state forest, covering 19,513 acres in Appomattox and Buckingham counties. It is managed for sustainable timber production, demonstration of scientific forest management, applied forest research, diverse wildlife habitat, watershed protection, biological diversity, and passive outdoor recreation.

Nestled in the heart of the Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia, Bear Creek Lake is less than an hour west of Richmond. It's the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities center on the 40-acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and a swimming beach. Other attractions include a meeting facility, cabins, camping, picnicking,

The BrightEyes property is a unique microfarm that supports our alpaca livestock and their working guardian dogs. Alpacas are very social animals and enjoy visits with individuals and groups of all types. As animals of prey, the alpacas rely on our livestock guardian dogs for their protection. The guardians watch over the alpacas and warn us if they sense predators and move to protect them if necessary.

Clover Hill Village is a six acre village owned & operated by the Appomattox County Historical Society where the history & heritage of Appomattox County comes to life. Enjoy a glimpse into daily life in the past (1840-1920) as you browse through the many historic buildings, including a log cabin, chapel, one room schoolhouse, working blacksmith shop, general store, & post office.

Cumberland State Forest is Virginia’s second largest at 16, 751 Oak Hill Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040154 acres. Most of the forest is in Cumberland County, with a small portion in Buckingham County. It has a diversity of pine and hardwood forest types, with land ranging from flat bottomlands to moderate slopes. The forest is managed for multiple uses: timber, wildlife, recreation, water quality, biodiversity, research, and demonstration.

The Dogwood Trail winds through a beautiful wooded area. Approximately one-half mile long, it travels north from High Street, near Second Avenue, to where it links with Centra Southside Community Hospital. Parking and a portable restroom are available behind Centra Southside Community Hospital.

The Farmville Blueway Paddle Trail is a protected stream corridor maintained for recreational canoeing and kayaking. The Blueway includes portions of Wilck’s Lake, Buffalo Creek, and the Appomattox River. This four-mile water trail begins on the east end of Wilck’s Lake at the boat ramp, crosses the lake to its west side, enters Buffalo Creek, and continues down the Appomattox River to the take-out at Riverside Park.

The Frontier Culture Museum is the biggest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as one of the highest rated family-friendly attractions and one of the top tourist destinations in Virginia. Costumed historical interpreters show the life and customs of the indigenous Native American tribes in Virginia, the arrival of the German, English and Irish settlers along the Great Wagon Road, and the painful journey of the enslaved Africans to the first permanent British colony in North America.

The Heart of the Piedmont Loop takes visitors into a series of state forests, state parks, and wildlife management areas with large tracts of deciduous and coniferous forest to explore. It also takes you through the area of the last major Civil War battle in Virginia at Sailor’s Creek. After losing 7,700 men and 8 generals, Robert E. Lee made his way to Appomattox where he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and reunited the nation.

High Bridge Trail is 32.2 miles long and ideally suited for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Once a rail bed, the trail is wide, level and generally flat. Its finely crushed limestone surface and dimensions make it easy to enjoy.

The Historic Downtown Farmville Walking Tour is a self-guided walking tour of the Farmville Historic District. Spend a leisurely afternoon experiencing Farmville's history and unique architecture.

Historic Buckingham Inc. invites you to experience The Historic Village at Lee Wayside. It is a step back into time when life was simpler. The village is in a beautiful setting among a mix of old oaks and maples which certainly add to the atmosphere.

Deep in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Holliday Lake is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Fishing for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill are popular. Swimming at the park's beach and the "Critter Hole" play area are visitor favorites.

The National D-Day Memorial Foundation’s mission is to preserve the lessons and legacy of D-Day. The Foundation maintains and operates the National D-Day Memorial in direct support of that educational mission.

You'll find Powhatan State Park in the northwest corner of Powhatan County on the historic James River. The park has three car-top boat slides accessing the river as well as diverse wildlife habitat, from open fields to upland hardwood forests. Other amenities include a full-service campground, a primitive canoe-in/hike-in campground, a group campground, multi-use trails, wildlife observation areas, picnic shelters and a playground.

Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest consists of numerous forest blocks surrounding Twin Lakes State Park. It can be explored via 11.9 miles of vehicle trails and 8.4 miles of hiking trails. The areas consist of forests at many successional stages ranging from harvested land to well-developed forest. This mosaic creates habitats for numerous wildlife species.

On April 6, 1865, Confederate General Robert E Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia wearily trudged its way through Amelia County in hopes of reaching greatly needed supplies at Farmville, Virginia. At Sailor’s Creek, Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s Union forces successfully cut off the line of retreat and attacked the rear guard.