Hopewell, Virginia
More actions
Region
Central Virginia
Type
Independent city
Setting
James and Appomattox rivers
Known for
City Point and Grant’s Civil War headquarters
Hopewell sits at the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers, with the historic community of City Point on a bluff above the water. The city’s most distinctive visitor story is Civil War-era City Point: in 1864, Ulysses S. Grant made the former Eppes plantation his headquarters as Union forces besieged nearby Petersburg. Today, visitors can connect that history with riverfront walks and historic houses. [1]
Plan for a history-focused visit rather than a conventional downtown sightseeing circuit. Grant’s Headquarters at City Point and Weston Manor offer distinct perspectives on the area’s past, while the Hopewell Riverwalk provides an easy way to take in the Appomattox shoreline. Opening arrangements and visitor access can change, so check official sources before setting out. [2][3]
Plan a trip to Hopewell
Why visit Hopewell?
Hopewell is a rewarding stop for travelers interested in how rivers, military strategy and local communities intersect in Virginia history. At City Point, the James and Appomattox provided Union forces with a strategic base for communication and supplies during the Petersburg campaign. The setting also invites a slower visit: the historic district, river views and nearby Weston Manor make room for stories beyond the battlefield. [4][5]
What to see and do
Visit the City Point unit of Petersburg National Battlefield, where Grant directed Union operations during the siege of Petersburg. The National Park Service describes the site as part of the former Eppes plantation; check the park’s current visitor information before going, since building access and services may vary. [6]
Weston Manor
This Georgian-style house overlooking the Appomattox River interprets the lives of the families and other people connected with the property, including its enslaved community. The historic house and reconstructed dependencies help tell stories spanning the colonial, Civil War and postwar eras. Tours and fees may change; consult the Historic Hopewell Foundation before visiting. [7][8]
Hopewell Riverwalk
Walk the wooden boardwalk along the Appomattox River for shoreline views toward historic City Point. The city describes the Riverwalk as accessible from City Park, which has additional outdoor amenities. Confirm current conditions and local rules with the city before your visit. [9]
City Point Historic District
Explore the historic neighborhood on the bluff above the rivers. City Point’s history includes its role as a port and its importance as a Union headquarters and supply base late in the Civil War. Use the city’s historic-district resources to plan a respectful visit and identify public routes and points of interest. [10][11]
City Point National Cemetery
This national cemetery in Hopewell is associated with the Civil War and the Union presence at City Point. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides visitor information, including current visitation guidance; remember that the grounds are a place of remembrance. [12]
History and character
City Point was an established river port before the Civil War. Its location at the confluence of two navigable rivers made it strategically valuable when Grant moved his headquarters there on June 15, 1864, during the campaign against Petersburg. The site became both a command post and a major Union supply base; the National Park Service describes the rapid transformation of the small town as ships and supplies arrived to support the armies. [13]
The historic landscape also includes the experience of enslaved people and the upheaval of wartime occupation. At Weston Manor, the Historic Hopewell Foundation interprets the Gilliam family, enslaved people who sustained the plantation, and people displaced by the war. These stories add essential context to the region’s houses and military sites. [14]
Hopewell’s later history includes industrial growth and the development of a separate city around the older community of City Point. The city notes that City Point was annexed and incorporated into Hopewell in 1923, and identifies both downtown and City Point as historic districts. [15][16]
Planning a visit
- Check access first. Grant’s Headquarters is part of Petersburg National Battlefield, but opening arrangements for buildings and visitor services can change. Check the National Park Service’s current planning page before traveling.
- Confirm Weston Manor details. Tours, seasonal schedules and admission information are maintained by the Historic Hopewell Foundation and may change.
- Allow time for the riverfront. The Riverwalk and City Point are natural companions to a historic-site visit; check the city’s guidance for conditions, access and park rules.
- Be considerate at the cemetery. City Point National Cemetery is a solemn burial ground. Consult the Department of Veterans Affairs for visitor rules and current information.
- Use a car for a multi-site day. The key attractions are spread across the city and surrounding battlefield area; check directions and parking information with each official site.
Nearby places and attractions
Petersburg
Explore a neighboring city closely connected to the Civil War siege and the region’s historic landscape.
Petersburg National Battlefield
Follow the wider story of the siege through battlefield sites and visitor information beyond the City Point unit.
Richmond
Virginia’s capital offers museums, historic neighborhoods and cultural attractions within the broader Central Virginia region.
Central Virginia Travel Guide
Use the regional guide to plan a wider trip around Hopewell and nearby destinations.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ General Grant's Headquarters at City Point, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Basic Information — Petersburg National Battlefield, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Hopewell Riverwalk, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ General Grant's Headquarters at City Point, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Historic Districts, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Basic Information — Petersburg National Battlefield, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Weston Manor, Historic Hopewell Foundation, Historic Hopewell Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Historic Hopewell Foundation, Historic Hopewell Foundation, Historic Hopewell Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Hopewell Riverwalk, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Historic Districts, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Our City, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ City Point National Cemetery, National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ General Grant's Headquarters at City Point, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Weston Manor, Historic Hopewell Foundation, Historic Hopewell Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Our City, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Historic Districts, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Basic Information — Petersburg National Battlefield, National Park Service, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Weston Manor, Historic Hopewell Foundation, Historic Hopewell Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Hopewell Riverwalk, City of Hopewell, City of Hopewell. Retrieved 2026-10-22.