PPTF has planned a variety of tours scheduled for November 2019 on Saturdays and Sundays as part of the American Celebration 2019 program and celebration.
The tours are summarized in the following paragraphs with a table schedule listing the options for dates and times. These five walking tours we have developed specifically for learning about African American history in Petersburg, Virginia. All tours will last between 45 minutes to 1 hour and are free to the public. Each walking tour can accommodate approximately 20 guests.
We ask that you e-mail us the number in your party, the city or locality in which you live, and which tour(s) you would like to take. We hope you enjoy your visit to Petersburg. Please e-mail our Director of Museums, Martha Atkinson at matkinson@petersburg-va.org In addition, if you had notified us you would be touring with us and have to cancel, please let us know.
- First Baptist Church
- Hear the history of the oldest African American Baptist Church in the United States from its origin in rural Virginia to a bedrock of Petersburg prominence. Julian Greene will be your guide. Parking available at First Baptist Church at 236 Harrison Street, Petersburg, Va 23803
- Movie Tour
- See a variety of movie and tv show locations starting with the most recent release Harriet, which will release November 1, 2019. This movie was filmed at the Farmers Bank and many streets in Old Towne. Walk down Cockcade Alley where the AMC series TURN was filmed. See where the movie Lincoln was filmed and where Steven Spielberg had has private editing room above the Petersburg Area Art League. Chip Mann will be your guide. Parking available at the Exchange Building and on the street at 15 West Bank Street, Petersburg, Va 23803
- Pocahontas Island
- Hear how Pocahontas Island grew in the 1700s from a white only area to a thriving free black community through the 1860s. Walk by the Jarrett House and then to the Petersburg Black History Museum. Parking available at 125 Sapony St. Petersburg, Va 23803
- Elizabeth Keckly (or Keckley)
- See the building in which Elizabeth Keckly lived (inside not available) and hear about her life in Petersburg as told by a Keckly interpreter wearing one of her dresses. Keckly was the modiste, dress maker, to the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln. Evelyn Franklin will be your guide and interpreter. Parking available at the Exchange Building and on the street at 15 West Bank Street, Petersburg, Va 23803
- People’s Cemetery
- Hear the story of how this African American cemetery originated across the street from a white only cemetery, Blandford Church and Cemetery and became the resting place of many prominent African American Petersburg citizens. Lucious Edwards will be your guide. Parking available at Blandford Visitors Center at 111 Rochelle Lane, Petersburg, Va 23803
| Tour Name | Day | Date/Time | Tour starting location |
| First Baptist Church | Saturday | Nov 16 10:00 AM | Exchange Building |
| Movie Tour | Saturday | Nov 16 11:00 AM | Exchange Building |
| Pocahontas Island | Saturday | Nov 16 2:30 PM | Pocahontas Island |
| People’s Cemetery | Saturday | Nov 16 2:30 PM | Blandford Visitors Ctr |
| Elizabeth Keckly | Saturday | Nov 16 4:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| First Baptist Church | Sunday | Nov 17 1:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| Movie Tour | Sunday | Nov 17 1:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| People’s Cemetery | Sunday | Nov 17 2:30 PM | Blandford Visitors Ctr |
| Pocahontas Island | Sunday | Nov 17 3:00 PM | Pocahontas Island |
| Elizabeth Keckly | Sunday | Nov 17 4:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| First Baptist Church | Saturday | Nov 23 10:00 AM | Exchange Building |
| Movie Tour | Saturday | Nov 23 11:00 AM | Exchange Building |
| Pocahontas Island | Saturday | Nov 23 2:30 PM | Pocahontas Island |
| People’s Cemetery | Saturday | Nov 23 2:30 PM | Blandford Visitors Ctr |
| Elizabeth Keckly | Saturday | Nov 23 4:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| Saturday | |||
| First Baptist Church | Sunday | Nov 24 1:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| Movie Tour | Sunday | Nov 24 1:30 PM | Exchange Building |
| People’s Cemetery | Sunday | Nov 24, 2:30 PM | Blandford Visitor Ctr |
| Pocahontas Island | Sunday | Nov 24 3:00 PM | Pocahontas Island |
| Elizabeth Keckly | Sunday | Nov 24 4:30 PM | Exchange Building |
After your visit on one of the walking tours, there are many shops and restaurants in Old Towne. Check out which ones may fancy your interest at www.theclio.com Enter Petersburg, Va to discover a variety of dining options and retail and/or antique shopping.
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