cold harbor battlefield park

cold harbor battlefield park印象

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  wbullseye

  I visited the Cold Harbor Battlefield after driving by it a few months earlier and remembered its importance during the war itself wanted to see it firsthand. It is easy to find off of I-295 in Mechanicsville, VA. The battlefield is not that large and can be seen in its entirety in no more than a day depending on how long you spend there. I'd plan on at least a half day to take everything in. There is a small visitor's center that describes not just the Cold Harbor battle but also the Battle of Gaines Mill.The visitor's center itself and the park's signage were just recently refurbished and provided accurate and detailed information. The museum portion of the center was no more than the size of a large living room. One half was dedicated to Cold Harbor and the other to Gaines Mill. It was interesting to learn about the two battles which were essentially fought on the same ground but years apart. There is an electric map that provides detailed information on the two battles. So while small, you still come out of the visitor's center with a good level of background as you walk the grounds.You have the option to walk the trails or drive along portions of the battlefield. If you have time I would definitely recommend hiking the trails. You will be able to see trenches that the Union army constructed which are still in good condition. You get a good sense on how the war had progressed from the early days of two large armies facing each other in lines, to one of trench warfare. The trails are very well marked and there are signs along the way detailing the battle. You have the option to take a shorter loop or taking the extended loop which snakes through more of the battlefield. Most of the trail is along flat ground, but there are a few steep hills to climb. There are a couple of spots where you either cross through or over a trench which gives you a good point of view.I would recommend doing the extended hike first and then take the driving loop as you depart the park. There are a few spots along the road which provide good views and more information on the battle that you don't get on the walking tour unless you walk the road separately. The road is popular with locals who are out walking or running, so make sure to drive slowly. If you are interested in history and specifically the American Civil War, the Cold Harbor Battlefield should be on the top of your list to see. While small and not as well known, it played a key role for both General Grant and General Lee leading up to the siege of Petersburg. While there are other military parks that still have the remnants of trenches, Cold Harbor had the most still remaining. The park itself is only a fraction of what it was during the war itself, but you still come away with a good understanding.

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  PAJX2

  This battlefield with it's extensive and well preserved trench lines is one of the few where you can really understand how the battle unfolded. Yes, there's just a small museum and no movie or guides, so you have to do a little reading ahead of time to appreciate the place. I recommend you walk into the field between the trenches and imagine that you were ordered to attack the confederate position...feels even more hopeless than climbing the hill towards the high water mark at Gettysburg. When my daughter and I visited on a Tuesday afternoon we were the only people there. If you have any interest in the Civil War, this place is definitely worth an hour's stop.

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  489suzannel

  This was the site of a battle in the civil war that saw to many killed in a very short time .the odd feeling you have takes you back to the battle field and gives you a feeling of what the young innocent men saw many for the last time it is their resting place lest we forget !

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  60Talton

  Nice parking , walking trails , so much history around the area. A must see for history buffs of like me who had ancestors that fought in the War. If you like to walk or run here is a nice area to do so and see the battlefield. We brought lot's of water / snacks ,had a good time with family seeing the area around Richmond , battlefields.. books , things for children explaining what happened here. Saw trenches at Cold Harbor battlefields , different locations of the battle so you might want to drive around checking those too.

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  tartaylor75

  My husband and I have been walking this trail every day for the past week, and it is amazing. The scenery is so beautiful and it's always changing. I'm never bored, and I am enjoying getting some exercise on this trail. It's truly amazing.

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  Sunset2b

  The Park Service maintains this historic battlefield and it is in near 1864 condition with trenches still visible. I did a walking tour with a Park Service employee and she was very knowledgeable and entertaining. It's a medium long walk so wear hiking shoes. I did it in street shoes and it was tough.

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  ahmonroe5

  I ran the extended trail this morning, what a great time. The trail is 2.25 miles (I added an extra .05 by making a wrong turn) and makes many twists and turns through the woods. My favorite part was running through the the breastworks at one point on the trail. When I arrived at 9 am, there was no one in the park and I had the trails all to myself. By 10 am, there were 4 other people walking in the park. What a nice, quiet, and peaceful run through history. There is a small visitor center with a neat lightboard display explaining both battles that occured on the property. This park should take an hour or two to tour. I really enjoyed the park and the run.

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  190CarolB190

  A step back in time to the Civil War is the feeling that comes over you as you walk the hallowed grounds of Cold Harbor.A bloody battle was fought 151 years ago on the same grounds that can be walk on to visit the battlefield park.The national cemetery is very peaceful and serene.There is a visitor center which explains in details the battle that was fought at Cold Harbor with losses on both sides.Hikeing trails wind throughout the park. Worth the time to visit.

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  CORINNEW_13

  When I drove up to the battlefield site, I could see only a small brick building and an open field and thought that this would be another disappointing battlefield site. Fortunately, I was soon proven wrong. The brick building housed the visitor center with one person from the park staff stationed there. She proceeded to explain the center, the electric battle map, the battlefield hiking trails and the battlefield driving tour. As she was speaking, my eye caught a display on the wall which presented a slide show of a handful of participants in the battle which were of special interest for one reason or another. In another merging of history and genealogy, the display contained the names and pictures of two brothers, cousins of mine, who were killed on the same day at Cold Harbor! After leaving the visitor center, I took the driving tour which winds its way through field and woods, along and through earthworks built by the opposing sides. Despite the passage of time, the confederate entrenchments are still very much in evidence, due in large part to the considerable effort which went into their construction. The Union earthworks, by contrast, were more hurried and built in desperation as the battle turned to a slaughter house.

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  fchsco80

  This park is easy to get to off of 295. Some of the best preserved battlefield entrenchments of any NMP.