How Civil War troops marked Christmas will be explored during a special event at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in December/NPS

How did Civil War troops mark Christmas? Head to Chatham at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in Virginia on December 18 for some insights.

Park staff and living historians will explain how the year-end holidays were marked from noon to 4 p.m. Staff will be distributing time cards at Chatham’s front desk so that each family will know when to report for their visit. Due to the popularity of the program, families should anticipate a wait to see Santa and are encouraged to enjoy some of the other activities: 

Union soldiers encamped on the riverside terraces will share stories about being in camp for Christmas, how soldiers entertained themselves during the cold winter months, and display some of the items they would receive as gifts from home. Civil War-era civilians in the house will talk about being on the home front during the holidays, and celebrating Christmas in a 19th-century home.

Educational activities will be available in the house. Children can decipher a Civil War-era letter and discover what soldiers wrote home when they were away in camp for the holidays. Another station will focus on different Christmas traditions from the 19th century, including how people decorated Christmas trees and the types of gifts they received. Kids will be able to compare Christmas in the 1860s to Christmas today, and make a personalized ornament to hang on the tree.

Friends of Chatham will be serving light refreshments in the Summer House.