Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Presents Talk on Railroads at Pamplin Historical Park

PETERSBURG, VA--(Marketwired - Aug 3, 2016) - On Saturday, August 6, Pamplin Historical Park will host a talk exploring the strategic significance of railroads in and around Petersburg during the Civil War. Founder and owner Robert B. Pamplin Jr. invites visitors to participate in the one of a kind lecture presented by Tim Talbott, historian and Associate Director of Education, Interpretation, Visitor Services, and Collections at Pamplin Historical Park.

At the beginning of the Civil War there were fewer than three-hundred rail lines in the United States, and many lines were unconnected to each other. Railroads were as yet untested as a military resource. The importance of controlling the rail lines was quickly proven at the outset of the war. Railroads were recognized as valuable means of transporting soldiers, materials, and food, as well as becoming strategic military targets.

During the Civil War, the Confederate and Union armies constantly struggled for control of the rail lines throughout central Virginia. Petersburg was the primary railroad hub for the region. Essential goods, raw materials and troops came from the south through Petersburg to reach Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. The survival of the Confederate government was dependent on the supplies that came through Petersburg by rail. Talbott's lecture, "Iron Ties: Petersburg and its Railroads," will focus on the importance of Petersburg and the dramatic battles for control of the area's rail lines.

"This was a defining period in America's history, and preserving these stories is critical to communicating the principles and sacrifices of that time to future generations," said Pamplin. "We're pleased to be able to continuously add to our country's collective knowledge, whether by offering experiences and lectures at the park or by sharing and discussing forgotten anecdotes."

The talk will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, at Pamplin Historical Park's Education Center. This event is free with membership or regular Park admission.

About Pamplin Historical Park
One of "Virginia's Best Places to Visit" according to the Travel Channel and designated as a National Historic Landmark, Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier is a 424-acre Civil War campus located in Dinwiddie County, Va., offering a combination of high-tech museums and hands-on experiences. The park has four world-class museums and four antebellum homes. The park is also the site of the Breakthrough battle of April 2, 1865, and America's premier participatory experience, Civil War Adventure Camp. For more information, please call 804-861-2408 or visit www.pamplinpark.org.

About Robert B. Pamplin Jr.
Robert B. Pamplin Jr. has earned eight degrees -- including two doctorates -- in business, economics, accounting, education and theology. He has been honored nationally as a businessman, philanthropist, ordained minister, educator, historical preservationist and author of 23 books and comic books, including two book-of-the-month club selections. Pamplin's business interests include media (the Portland Tribune and 25 community newspapers), textiles, construction and agriculture. He has been awarded many honorary degrees and featured in national magazines, in newspapers and on television. He has served on presidential and state commissions, and he has been chairman of the board of trustees of three colleges. Pamplin is widely recognized as America's leading historical preservationist and foremost diversified entrepreneur. For more information, visit www.pamplin.org.