Photo: OpSail 2012 Virginia/Keith Lanpher
	Naval cadets line up on the Norfolk, Va., waterfront with tall ships in the background.

Virginia in 2012: War of 1812, Civil War commemorations, Discovery's arrival

Virginia,
© 2012 Group Tour Media
January 26, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia is abloom with new experiences for group travelers this year, ranging from celebrations for the War of 1812 and the Civil War, a new national monument at Fort Monroe and the arrival of another Space Shuttle.

Perhaps the biggest event for the year is OpSail 2012 Virginia, part of War of 1812 bicentennial commemorations that is bringing masted ships to Hampton Roads. Running from June 6 to 12, about two dozen ships from across the globe are joining U.S. Navy and local vessels for the celebration. Living-history exhibits, special programs and dinner cruises are part of the festivities.

A lead-up to OpSail is the Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival, which includes an appearance by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels aerial unit and is June 1 to 3.

Virginia continues to mark 150th anniversary commemorations of the Civil War, which was from 1861 to 1865.

The 150th anniversaries of major battles and campaigns this year include the naval battle between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (March 9), the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign (May-June), the Seven Days Battles (June-July), Battle of Second Manassas (Aug. 28-30) and Battle of Fredericksburg (December 13). The 150th anniversary of Lincoln's issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was done in Gettysburg, Pa., is Sept. 22.

The 2012 Virginia Civil War 150 Signature Conference is March 22 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.

	Photo: National Park Service
	A living history reenactor pauses during an event at Manassas National Battlefield Park near Manassas, Va

Fort Monroe National Monument joined the National Park Service’s system Nov. 1, having been an active U.S. Army post for more than 150 years.

During the Civil War, the fort was a refuge for escaping slaves and was nicknamed “Freedom’s Fortress.” Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at the fort after his arrest on charges of treason. Fort Monroe spans the American story from the 17th century, including Capt. John Smith's journeys and as a longtime bastion of defense for Chesapeake Bay. 

Meanwhile, the Museum of the Confederacy is opening a second facility in Appomattox in spring. The $7.5 million museum with 5,000 square feet of exhibit areas is focusing on the Civil War’s final events, including the Confederates’ surrender at Appomattox and the United States' reunification. The museum and the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond trace their beginnings to 1896.

In addition, in spring 2012 the Space Shuttle Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in NASA’s fleet, lands at the National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Discovery replaces the Space Shuttle Enterprise, which was seen by nearly nine million visitors since the center opened in 2003 and is being relocated to New York. Among its 39 missions, Discovery was flown by the first African-American commander and first woman commander in NASA history and was also the shuttle on which two-time astronaut John Glenn, a U.S. senator from Ohio, flew in 1998 at the age 77 years old.

For more group details on visiting Virginia, contact the Virginia Tourism Corporation by calling (800) 759-0886 or visiting www.Virginia.org/groups. A free Virginia Tour Planning Guide 2012 is available.

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