Description: Program Schedule for July 13 - July 19 at Fort Pillow SHP
Location: Fort Pillow State Park
Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Friday, July 17, 2026
6:00 pm: Children during the Civil War: Meet seasonal ranger at the campground to discuss children during the Civil War. On the home front, both northern and southern children became critical to the war effort in a variety of ways. Children took up jobs that their fathers or brothers had left vacant or those that their mothers could not manage alone. Others enlisted in the military and would perform a number of important functions. Some were regular, enlisted soldiers, but others were musicians, mounted couriers or runners, hospital attendants, guards, orderlies, chaplain assistants, water carriers, or barbers. At sea, they would serve as cabin boys, galley helpers, and powder boys.
7:00 pm: Build a Bat Box: Join Seasonal Ranger Chris in the campground to learn more about bats and to build a bat box.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
12:00 pm: Flags of the Civil War: Join seasonal ranger at the museum to identify, discuss, and color the various flags used by the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War.
2:00 pm: Museum Scavenger Hunt Part 4: Meet seasonal ranger at the museum for a scavenger hunt through the museum. This interactive game guides visitors through exhibits using clues, trivia, and observation challenges to transform passive viewing into an active investigation, deepening your connection to the history on display. Reminder: Complete all 6 Museum Scavenger Hunts (one released each Friday) and turn in to redeem a special prize.
4:00 pm: Women during the Civil War: Meet seasonal ranger at the museum to discuss the various contributions that women made during the Civil War. Although women were not allowed to serve as official soldiers in the armies, they played important roles that supported both the Union and Confederate war efforts. Many women worked as spies, nurses, or organized aid societies that collected food, clothing, and medical supplies for the troops. Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of women. Therefore, women soldiers of the Civil War assumed masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact they were female.
8:00 pm: Lantern Hike to the Restored Fortification: Meet the seasonal ranger at the museum for a short, informative round trip hike up to the newly restored fortification where most of the battle at Fort Pillow took place. Along the way, hikers will cross the newly installed 120-yard-long suspension bridge, which is the longest in the TN State Parks. There are All-terrain wheelchairs available that can be driven all the way to the Fort. There will be a $5 programming fee associated with the hike.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
6:00 am: Greet the Day: Meet seasonal ranger at the Butterfly Garden for a 4-mile out-and-back sunrise hike. The Chickasaw Bluff Trail is a wonderful place where you can get out and experience history and incredible views of the Mississippi in one perfect Tennessee hike. The real reward of the hike is towards the trail's end when you get the grand view of the river. High on top of the cliffsides you will overlook the massive expanse of this mighty body of water. Bring water and bug spray.
12:00 pm: Heavy Artillery: Join seasonal ranger at the museum to learn about cannons, the logistics of moving them from place to place, and the sunken battery at Fort Pillow.
1:00 pm: Museum Tour and Video: Meet seasonal ranger at the museum for an informative tour through the exhibits, insight into what a soldier would have carried in his pack, and to view the film on the Civil War battle Fort Pillow.
3:00 pm: Flat Water Paddling Instruction: Meet seasonal ranger at the lake for instruction and demonstration of flat-water paddling (kayak, canoe, and/or paddleboard).
Event Document:
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Program Host: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Contact Email: tyson.weller@tn.gov
Contact Phone: 731-738-5581
Meeting Place: 3122 Park Rd. Henning, Tn 38041