Kernstown Battlefield and Pritchard House
Kernstown Battlefield and Pritchard House
Kernstown Battlefield and Pritchard House
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
137 within 5 kms
Attractions
63 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY2,025 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
My friend and I went on day it was closed; however, the gate happened to be open so we went in anyway. It is a private battlefield, so I would check times before driving over like we did. The board of directors was meeting there the morning we went and were so blessed to have the board president take time out of his day to give us a rundown of what actually transpired during both battles and the start of a battle in Winchester. The site is well maintained with plenty of markers/signs. Highly recommend.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paws S
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
What an absolutely wonderful experience! This was a terrific find! We were taken by golf cart to the top of a hill. We were given a wonderful visual lesson of the two battles that occurred at the battlefield site. Had an absolutely fantastic tour of the home and a great description of how the home was used as a hospital site. The scenery is gorgeous and the setting very reflective. We would absolutely recommend this place to anyone and would readily go again someday!
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katlin M
Chantilly, VA1 contribution
Sept 2020 • Couples
Always love stopping at the battlefield and walking though the house, but yesterdays tour was beyond awesome! The field hospital living history was awesome! They explained everything very well and kept us engaged. It was by far better than any specialized field hospital museum I've ever been to. Highly, highly suggested.
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,479 contributions
Jul 2015
Kernstown, Virginia, was the site of two Civil War battles, one in 1862 in which Stonewall Jackson's troops were forced to retreat, and the other in 1864 when Jubal Early's Confederates won a victory that sealed the fate of the Shenandoah Valley. As a result of Early's victory, Ulysses S. Grant formed a powerful army under the command of General Phillip Sheridan and ordered him to drive the Confederates out of the Valley and lay waste to the South's bread basket. Sheridan fulfilled his mission. Kernstown Battlefield is a 315-acre site that is located about 2 1/2 miles south of downtown Winchester on land that had been farmed for over 200 years. It played a significant role in the Civil War because it was strategically located between two of the Shenandoah Valley's major north/south roads, the Valley Turnpike and the Middle Road. The land is dominated by the eminence located on the norther perimeter of the site known as Pritchard's Hill. Standing on top of this hill, you can easily appreciate its military importance. From this vantage point, you have unobstructed views of the Valley Pike for miles. Other noteworthy sites are Hoge Run, Opequon Presbyterian Church, Rose Hill, Sandy Ridge and Barton's Woods. Ironically, Jackson's defeat at First Kernstown could be construed as a strategic victory because he took advantage of the Union Army's redeployment--20,000 troops that were scheduled for the crucial Peninsula attack toward Richmond were sent instead into the northern Shenandoah Valley--and Jackson's subsequent spring campaign in the Valley achieved legendary status. Kernstown is a must stop on any drive along the Valley Turnpike (Route 11). In 1996, the Kernstown Battlefield Association, a non-profit grassroots organization, was formed to acquire, preserve and interpret the historic Pritchard/Grim farm, site of the battlefield, as an historic resource. The farm sits astride the Winchester-Frederick County line encompassing pasture, cropland, orchards and wetlands and the 1854 Pritchard farm. Since 2001, staffed solely by volunteers, the Kernstown Battlefield has been open to the public each weekend during the summer. A visitors center has been established that features historic displays and walking trails with interpretative markers. The KBA also stabilized and revitalized the Pritchard house. The organization also has produced a brochure with a map that details the battlefield site and briefly tells the story of the first and second battles. It is an educational stop along the Valley Pike while admiring the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley.
Written 20 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catherinewoonton
Kalamazoo, MI7 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
My sister and an historian friend of ours were vacationing in Virginia and happened to see that this battlefield was on our way back from another event. We hadn’t heard much of this little battle so thought we’d check it out..if nothing but for the sake of checking it off our list. We started down a one-lane backroad which turned out to be a remnant of one of the most important roads ever built in America. We stopped at the end, expecting to glance at the exteriors of a few historical buildings without knowing their context, take a few photos, and 15 minutes later be back on our way. What an incredible surprise! We entered the visitor’s center and a small group welcomed us warmly, and before we knew it we were off across the grounds on a golf cart driven by one of the best storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to (who also happened to be 87 years old)! He detailed the history of the property, each building, provided visual context for why the battle occurred there and how, and the aftermath that unfolded. He shared the past, present and future of the property with us and made us feel as though we were a part of it. An hour later we returned to the main building and were given the opportunity to tour the main house despite the fact that they were closed for the day. The house is absolutely incredible..like stepping back in time! The gentleman who gave us that tour was knowledgeable, and answered all our questions. The painstaking effort to maintain historical accuracy while restoring the property to its former glory inside and out was so refreshing. It’s a work in progress that they’re proud of and rightfully so. Volunteers reliant entirely on donations, these folks are committed to keeping this piece of history alive for others to experience and enjoy for years to come.
Pay them a visit next time you’re near and if you can spare a few dollars for their efforts I know they’d appreciate it..we’d all be better for it. It’s people like this that keep the whole picture of history alive so that we can learn beyond just what makes it into the books!
Pay them a visit next time you’re near and if you can spare a few dollars for their efforts I know they’d appreciate it..we’d all be better for it. It’s people like this that keep the whole picture of history alive so that we can learn beyond just what makes it into the books!
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane J
Ridgefield, CT3 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Stopped for a short visit and were absolutely amazed at the well preserved and well marked grounds! The museum is a real gem filled with A remarkable collection of civil war artifacts and battle maps with wonderfully informative displays showcasing the battle timelines as well as the people engaged. We spent well over an hour engaging amazingly knowledgeable and passionate historians serving as volunteer interpreters at this site. An amazing gem - highly recommend!!
Written 31 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,937 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
I got to the battlefield on a rainy Saturday morning. Part of the staff was in the Visitors Center and were super friendly. As I was by myself, the staff was willing to let me see the inside of the house which is currently undergoing renovations. There was a brief issue with the alarm and the inside of the house was rather barren but it was neat to see the three story house and the renovation process. I then got to go on a very informative tour of the battlefield in a golf cart. It was neat to see some of the interesting spot from the two engagements. Definitely a nice piece of history preserved by a private organization.
Written 13 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STEVE C
Winchester, VA140 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
This battlefield is literally a few minutes off of I-81 on the southern fringe of Winchester, VA. The 300+ acre property is owned and maintained by the Kernstown Battlefield Association who does an excellent job in maintaining the visitor center, the Pritchard House and the battlefield itself. You won't be disappointed!
Written 5 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
civilwarguy
Walden, Tenn327 contributions
May 2014 • Business
The Kernstown Battlefield is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who have managed to put together a visitor center/museum, historic house and interpreted battlefield using mostly donated funds. They interpret both the 1862 and 1864 battles and have key ground for 2nd Kernstown. This is not Gettysburg but it exceeds any reasonable expectation of what a local group can accomplish. Be generous with your "suggested donation."
Written 10 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ken a
Monongahela, PA35 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Always wanted to visit this battlefield since I have some family history here. Definitely you want to get a free tour so check your times and dates via their website. Lots of information a good tour guide can give you. Plenty of stuff to see in visitors center and the Pritchard home.Plan on about 2 hours for this stop and that should get you through it.
Volunteer staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Don,t forget donation so they can keep this place going.
Volunteer staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Don,t forget donation so they can keep this place going.
Written 1 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The grounds would be handicap accessible. This battlefield has a visitor center as well as walking trails leading you on a self guided tour with historical markers. There is an open area with picnic tables as well. While we were there volunteers were present to give information and some were taking visitors in golf carts.
Written 14 June 2020
A Tripadvisor member
There is an ample gravel parking lot that is central to everything.
Written 21 June 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing