Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is looking for volunteer assistance before and during the 153rd anniversary event. Though the event will run April 6-12, the Park also needs help for some projects leading up to the event. This pre-work concerns preparations for the Luminary Event Saturday, April 7. The Luminary Event is the lighting of 4,600 luminaries representing each emancipated person in Appomattox County as a result of the surrender on April 9, 1865.

There are volunteer work days on March 3 and March 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Mathews House, located on Gordon Drive inside the Park. These work days will include writing the names of emancipated people on bags and testing the 4,600 lights. There will also be a short meeting at the beginning of the March 3 workshop to provide a briefing of Anniversary Events.

During the 153rd Anniversary Event the Park seeks help in the areas of parking and visitor services, particularly on April 7 and 8. To assist with the Luminary Event on Saturday, April 7 please meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Clover Hill Guest House inside the historic village. The work group will help place the bags and lights out on the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. Clean up for the event will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 8. Individuals, families and groups are welcome.

Anyone interested in becoming a regular volunteer at the Park is encouraged to attend a regularly scheduled Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) meeting on March 20 at the Mathews House at 6:30 p.m. An overview of the 153rd Anniversary Event will be part of this meeting. For more information or if you are interested in participating contact: Alyssa Holland, Volunteer Coordinator at Alyssa_Holland@nps.gov or call (434) 352-8987 ext. 234.