The Ken Burns series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” said our parks are “a refuge for human beings seeking to replenish their spirit; geographies of memory and hope, where countless American families have forged an intimate connection to their land”

Every year, thousands of people volunteer their time & talents as stewards of national parks. #NPSVIP come from many different backgrounds but the mission is all the same. Thank you VIPs for your patience, commitment & enthusiasm! #NPSVolunteer #FindYourPark Photos: Gigi Charters

Check out this video to hear Ranger Mike Gorman talk about the transformation of Richmond and how important the James River has been throughout history. #NationalParkWeek youtu.be/sI0m7lqioBk #TransformationTuesday #NPSOnTheMove #RVA #FindYourPark

During the Great Depression many Richmonders coveted a weekend outing to Richmond National Battlefield Park. It was close. It was also free (and still is). For those seeking history, it surrounded them. For those interested in nature, the park offered walking and bridle trials.

Happy Earth Day! The park last year the park began to collect old electronics: computers, monitors, telephones, printers, radios, cameras and more. We have identified, cataloged and collected to a central location over one ton of recyclable electronics. #EarthDay

It's National Junior Ranger Day! This is easily one of the most beloved programs in the National Park Service, and we love seeing Junior Rangers here in Richmond National Battlefield Park! It doesn't matter what age you are—just "explore, learn, and protect" your national parks!

Starting June 6, rangers will be stationed at the Cold Harbor Battlefield from 9 am - 4:30 pm, Wed.-Sun. . The Visitor Center remains closed, but a ranger will be on duty to answer questions, give information, and make sales from the store. Hope to see you soon!

Check out the latest #RICH video detailing the May 31 battle for the Old Cold Harbor crossroads, where five roads converged. The outcome of this fight would lead the armies into the larger assault at Cold Harbor that took place today on June 3. youtu.be/QfYdM6Fto9s

"Look down fair moon and bathe this scene, Pour softly down night's nimbus floods on faces ghastly, swollen, purple, On the dead on their backs with arms toss'd wide, Pour down your unstinted nimbus sacred moon." LOOK DOWN FAIR MOON. Leaves of Grass (1867). Walt Whitman.

The recruitment of African Americans for military service was a watershed moment for enslaved people in the state of Kentucky. Camp Nelson NM collaborated with NPS colleagues to trace the service of the 114th and 116th USCT. Check out the video on Facebook fb.watch/v/1Z7wmPXpw/

It's World Ranger Day, celebrating the work of park rangers worldwide to protect historic and natural resources. On any given day park staff do everything from trimming trees, to repairing trails, to monitoring plants and animals, to conducting educational programs.

Since Richmond National Battlefield Parks establishment in 1936 the park has issued numerous brochures over the past 85 years. Below are just a sampling of ones from days gone by. Do you have anything like this in your scrapbook? #myparkscrapbook #makingmemories #RVABattlefields

Today in 1864, Union troops captured Fort Harrison, the largest fort in Richmond’s outer defenses. This set off a panic in the city, as citizens worried that the Union army would soon arrive. Fort Harrison is one of the many sites you can visit in the park, with walking trails

FREEDOM WILL BE THEIRS BY THE SWORD. General Benjamin Butler paid for 200 medals for black soldiers in his command following their attack at New Market Heights on September 29, 1864. They said, in Latin, “Ferro iis libertas perveniet,” "Freedom Will be Theirs by the Sword."

On October 7, 1864, Confederate forces launched an attack along Darbytown Road to drive back Union troops close to Richmond. United States forces were overrun and fell back to a new defensive position near New Market Road (modern Route 5). There is a #civilwartrails marker today

Today is the anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It created the National Register of Historic Places, a review process of Federal projects, and encouraged the professionalism of historic preservation. Photo: Repair work at the Shelton House

It was a sunny but chilly day on the battlefield for the students from Regents School of Charlottesville. The students got tours of Cold Harbor and Gaines' Mill, and learned about soldier life.

Scout Pack 1785 from Maryland visited us today, walked the trails, and earned Junior Ranger badges! Congrats Scouts!

Channukah begins tonight at sundown. Richmond had a significant Jewish population at the time, and many supported the Confederate war effort. The city's Hebrew Cemetery has a section for Jewish Confederate soldiers. The graves are enclosed by an iron fence with kepis and swords.