Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves a reconstructed mid-1800s village with about 27 buildings, including the McLean House and the courthouse, spread across a rural landscape. The site features homes, shops, taverns, and farm outbuildings connected by pathways and open fields.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee signed the surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House, ending the fighting of the largest Confederate army. Three days later, thousands of Confederate soldiers laid down their weapons in a formal ceremony.

The site maintains authentic period structures and furnishings that represent the architectural and social elements of 1865 rural Virginia.

Visitors can walk between the buildings, with the main loop taking about one to two hours on foot. The visitor center offers exhibits and orientation before entering the grounds.

The road where Confederate units lined up for the formal stacking of arms remains visible as a shallow trace in the grass. This section has changed little since 1865.

Location: Appomattox County

Inception: April 10, 1940

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/apco

GPS coordinates: 37.37639,-78.79722

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:46