The original McLean House was dismantled in 1893 with the intent of moving it to Washington D.C., but the project failed, leaving the structure in pieces for decades.
The surrender meeting took place in the parlor of Wilmer McLean's home, a man who famously claimed the Civil War started in his backyard at Bull Run and ended in his front parlor at Appomattox.
The official surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia was not the end of the Civil War, but it triggered a cascade of surrenders across the Confederacy.
The site was designated a National Historical Park in 1954 to ensure the preservation of the village context.
The printing press used to produce the parole passes for the surrendered Confederate soldiers is on display within the village.
The village was the county seat of Appomattox County until the courthouse burned down in 1892, leading to the relocation of the county government.
The park contains an original cemetery where both Union and Confederate soldiers are interred.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves the village where General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. The site features the reconstructed McLean House, the location of the formal surrender meeting. The park encompasses a historic village landscape with restored structures reflecting mid-19th-century Virginia architecture. Visitors can explore the Clover Hill Tavern, the old County Jail, and the courthouse building itself. Exhibits throughout the park detail the events leading to the cessation of major hostilities in the American Civil War. The park is managed by the National Park Service as a commemorative site of national reconciliation. It contains walking trails that provide access to original road traces and military positions used during the final engagement. The site remains largely rural, maintaining the visual integrity of the 1865 landscape.
The front porch of the McLean House, providing a clear view of the historic village street.
Download the NPS app before arriving, as cellular service is intermittent within the park boundaries.
Start at the Visitor Center to pick up a map and view the introductory film before walking the village.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the gravel paths and uneven terrain between historic buildings.
Do not attempt to walk through the restricted, non-restored areas or cross fences marked for protection.
The park is closed on major winter holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as the site serves as a memorial to a significant loss of life.
