This year marks the 100th birthday for the National Park Service.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and the Appomattox 1865 Foundation announce the schedule of events for April.

In addition to programs in recognition of the 151st anniversary of the surrender, there will be a host of other events:

April 1: Photo Contest — amateur photographers of all ages are invited to celebrate the park and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by participating in this creative contest sponsored by the Appomattox 1865 Foundation. Photo theme categories include: winter, living history, wildlife, black and white, pre-1990, and historic landscape. Photos must be taken in the park April 1 through June 1 (except the pre-1990 category). Winners and cash prizes will be announced August 25, the 100th birthday of the National Park Service.

April 2: Civil War Trust Park Day (rain date April 23) — sponsored by the Civil War Trust, this is a volunteer day to help clean up the park or scrape and whitewash sections of picket fence in the historic village. Work will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m.; contact Alyssa Holland for more information at (434) 352-8987 ext. 234.

April 8-12: 151st anniversary programs — anniversary themed ranger programs each day including a 4,600 light luminary event on the evening of April 9 that will include the Raine Cemetery, believed to be the final resting place for dozens of enslaved residents of Appomattox. Each light will represent a person in Appomattox County that was emancipated as a result of the surrender.

April 16-17: Civil War Encampment — a walk through the camps of Confederate and Union soldiers to witness firing and tactical demonstrations. The Stacking of Arms ceremony will be reenacted along the Stage Road each day.

There will also be opportunities to meet the man who portrayed General Lee for the 150th and take a photograph (for the photo contest).

April 16: Artist in the Park — aspiring artists ages 10-plus are invited to join artist Kelly Mann (from Paisley’s Palette) from 2-4 p.m. to learn about painting while enjoying the historic landscape of the park. Visit the park museum (in the visitor center) to view original landscape paintings from 1866, then create a painting of the current landscape.

The cost is $35 payable to the Appomattox 1865 Foundation. All materials are supplied along with light refreshments; you can take home a “one of a kind” masterpiece.