Battlefield Tours of Virginia

10/15/2025

OPEN FOR TOURS💥

Despite the government shutdown, we are still open for tours. The battlefield grounds remain open, and we are able to lead tours as normal. While our NPS friends may be away for a bit, we’re still here to get you around the battlefield for a comprehensive private tour. (photo credit: Ninja Pix)

09/07/2025

As we remember Don Pfanz this week, we have a page featuring many videos of Don discussing the Civil War. (Please follow this link)

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

09/07/2025

As we remember the life and legacy of author/historian Don Pfanz, one of his last book signings was held here at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center. Don had numerous books published. Some of them can be seen (along with some videos he was in) by following this link. https://battlefieldtoursofvirginia.com/personnel/don-pfanz/

09/06/2025

Today we remember the life & legacy of Don Pfanz. The last big bus tour Don gave with us was a battle anniversary tour of Spotsylvania Courthouse along with fellow author Brad Gottfried. Don was on his “A-Game” and was an incredible interpreter and teacher. He will be missed.

09/05/2025

Don Pfanz: With profound sadness, we say goodbye….

We mourn the loss of Don Pfanz who was one of our battlefield guides, Civil War community legend, and friend. Donald Pfanz of Spotsylvania County, VA died in his home on Sept. 2 from Glioblastoma brain cancer. Pfanz was born on April 16, 1958, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the son of author/historian Harry W. Pfanz and Letitia Earll Pfanz. He was predeceased by his first wife, Betty Davidsen Pfanz, and is survived by his second wife, Zandra Montalvo Pfanz.

Pfanz grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Wootton High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, before graduating with a B.A. degree in history from the College of William and Mary in 1980, where he played on the varsity soccer team. After college he made his career with the National Park Service, serving for 32 years at Petersburg Battlefield Park, Fort Sumter National Monument, and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County National Military Park. In the latter assignment, he helped organize and execute the annual Chatham Concert Series, National Cemetery Luminaria, and Memorial Day Program.

An avid preservationist, Pfanz was a founder of The Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (now The American Battlefield Trust). He also wrote 10 books on key people and places of the Civil War, including Clara Barton’s Civil War, Richard S. Ewell: A Soldier’s Life, War So Terrible: A Popular History of the Battle of Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania National Military Park and Fredericksburg: A Comprehensive Civil War Guide.

The interment service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The American Battlefield Trust at https://www.battlefields.org/
Read more about Don on our page.
https://battlefieldtoursofvirginia.com/personnel/don-pfanz/

01/04/2024

FREDERICKSBURG: VIRGINIA💥

Visit historic Fredericksburg, Virginia & their amazing area battlefields!

01/01/2024

Happy New Year from all of the battlefield guides at Battlefield Tours of Virginia! 💥

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from all of the battlefield guides at Battlefield Tours of Virginia! 🎄

12/23/2023

12/16/2023

TODAY: MINE RUN CHRISTMAS EVENT💥

One of our battlefield guides is speaking at this special event.

On Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 PM, New Hope Baptist Church in Locust Grove, VA is hosting a special event. This event will commemorate the historic events that occurred 160 years ago around their church during the Mine Run Campaign (November 26-December 2, 1863).

At 5:30 PM the event will start in the church sanctuary where there will be a short candlelight Christmas service with Christmas hymns & carols.

Following the candlelight service, John Kanaster of “Battlefield Tours of Virginia” is giving a historic talk presentation on the Mine Run Campaign next door in the church fellowship hall. Special emphasis will be placed on the events surrounding New Hope Church.

Afterwards, a special showing of the 2022 Christmas film “I Heard the Bells” will be shown. Set during the American Civil War, an event during the Mine Run Campaign will help to inspire a beloved Christmas poem. Known as Americans Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life ...until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it's the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet's lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith.

Refreshments is being provided by the New Hope Baptist Church ladies.

This special family friendly Christmas event is FREE and open to the general public.

12/15/2023

TOUR WITH THE AUTHOR: CHRISTMAS GIFT 🎁

The perfect gift for a Civil War buff! They will get a rare opportunity to take a private Civil War battlefield tour with an author! As part of this tour experience, they’ll also receive a gift bundle: signed copy of the author’s book, a Tour with the Author bookmark/tour voucher, and a Battlefield Tours of Virginia fridge magnet to remind them to book the tour! When you book a Tour with the Author experience, simply contact us to arrange a date with your historian-guide. Decide if you wish to take a half-day tour or spend an entire day with your author on a combo tour. https://battlefieldtoursofvirginia.com/tour-with-the-author/

12/14/2023

FREDERICKSBURG BOOK: BATTLEFIELD GUIDE💥

Our own battlefield guide, Don Pfanz, came out with the most recent book on the battle of Fredericksburg. A retired NPS historian, this book has many walking trails in & around the city. A self published book, it’s only offered at the battlefield museum store or in person, not online.

Read more about Don Pfanz:
https://battlefieldtoursofvirginia.com/personnel/don-pfanz/