The luminary program at Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park has been rescheduled for Saturday/NPS

Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park in Virginia this coming Saturday will honor those emancipated by the Civil War with 4,600 luminaries.

The luminaries are expected to have their best effect beginning at 8 p.m. Park grounds will remain open late to allow visitors to experience this powerful landscape. Following the tradition established at the 150th Anniversary in 2015, 4,600 luminaries will line the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road representing each person in Appomattox County who was emancipated as a result of the surrender.

Thanks to the research efforts of a team led by the Reverend Al Jones, more than 3,700 names of those 4,600 who were emancipated have been collected using census and death records. Thanks also to volunteers from Farmer’s Bank of Appomattox and the other community members, these names have been written on the bags.

“When you walk along the Stage Road the luminaries are beautiful, but when you recognize so many of the family names it begins to feel personal,” observed Mrs. Ora McCoy of the Carver-Price Legacy Museum.

Volunteers are also welcome to help with this event. Anyone interested in helping to set up the luminaries may report to the park at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. There’s also an opportunity to help clean up afterwards by reporting to the park at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. For questions about volunteering, please contact the park volunteer coordinator, Alyssa Holland, at [email protected] or at 434-352-8987 ext. 234.

“The luminaries are spectacular and contemplative. They represent a powerful message about the effect of the surrender meeting on the nation and millions of enslaved persons across the United States. The fact that April 9th was known as Emancipation Day is a story that we are sharing through this program,” said park Superintendent Robin Snyder. “We hope you will take a few minutes to stop by the park and experience the luminaries.”