Join us to commemorate the surrender negotiations at Bennett Place that led to the largest surrender of the American Civil War. Learn more about how Generals Johnston and Sherman's three meetings at the Bennetts' home reflected the broader national debate over how to reunite the nation & remake the United States without slavery. Explore how veterans, civilians, and freed people alike experienced and thought about the end of the American Civil War and what would come next.

This program includes several costumed interpretation events and displays.

Tickets must be purchased on site the day of the event.

Schedule of Events:

Talks & Presentations

11:00  The Road to Bennett Place - Ranger Talk

12:00  "Civil War Railroads in NC: Development & Impact on the War" - Presentation by Dr. Ted Kunstling, MD (Raleigh Civil War Round Table President)

1:00*  The Story from the Land - Environmental History Walking Tour (*time may change)

2:00  Surrender & Freedom Stories - Presentation

2:30  What Comes Next?: Aftermath of the Civil War - Ranger Talk

Surrender Vignettes 11:30, 11:50, 12:10, 1:20, and 1:40

Limited spaces available inside the Bennett home! Be in the room where it happened while our site historians walk through the surrender negotiations. Features Sherman and Johnston reenactors. (15 minutes) Advance registration link via Eventbrite - some tickets available same-day. Advanced registration recommended.

Free Flowing Stations Explore at your own pace from 11:00 - 3:00. Most stations include hands-on education.

• Civil War Engineering
• Signal Flags
• Morse Code
• Civilians on the Homefront
• US & Confederate soldiers at the end of the war

Please note due to the current drought, there will be no hearth or campside cooking demonstrations.