Lectures, music and living-history programs will take visitors back in time to Civil War-era Petersburg on Saturday, June 7, at Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St., Petersburg.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can witness events that pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians of Petersburg who worked together to fight for the existence of a Confederate States of America.

The day's events feature a presentation about the history of Southern Soldiers' Aid Societies by historian Virginia Mescher. Visitors can also attend a Petersburg Aid Society meeting led by members of the Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society.

Civil War-era music will be featured throughout the day. The Liberty Hall Fifes and Drums will explain the use of martial music both on the battlefield and in wartime public demonstrations of patriotism.

Music will again be the focus during a program called "Reciting and Singing the Confederacy" in which Colleen Formby will present research into the history of music written during the Civil War. Formby will perform selections to reflect the patriotism and religious spirit of those on the home front during the war.

Southern soldiers and citizens found encouragement through uplifting speeches and poetry, and these, too, will be included in this special event.

The free program is sponsored by Petersburg National Battlefield. For more information, call park ranger Emmanuel Dabney at (804) 943-9530.

Petersburg National Battlefield would like to thank the congregation of Second Presbyterian Church for its assistance and cooperation in preparing this program.

Petersburg National Battlefield was established to commemorate the campaign, siege and defense of Petersburg in 1864 and 1865, and to preserve for historical purposes the breastworks, earthworks, walls or other defenses or shelters used by the armies.