Activities Calendar

The Friends of Monterey Pass offer a wide range of activities throughout the year, both on their own behalf and in collaboration with others.  All these activities are shown below under the headings “Recurring Events” and “Special Events” (the chronological list of activities below the calendar). You can always download the master list of activities for reference at home. The master list and the website will always have the most current list of activities.

Summer 2024 Activities Note:

A great season is being planned for 2024. While the Museum officially opens on April 6th, the park and trails remain open year round. We’re still working on details of many events, but the broad schedule is already firming up. As details for each event are prepared, scroll down to see Recurring Activities and the chronological Special Events below.

We want to thank the thousands of you who are waiting patiently while we assembled all the pieces of the coming year’s activities. Check back periodically where you see material highlighted in red for updates and changes. The latest changes will always be posted here on the website.

We can arrange tours as our members are able to support. We have a 6-passenger golf cart for some of you who may need help getting up the hill, also by arrangement with available members. To contact us with these and other questions, email us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.

We’re making progress fund raising to purchase the Toll House and several acres of adjoining land where the fiercest part of the Battle of Monterey Pass took place. If you want to help, or know of others who share an interest in historical preservation and might want to participate, email us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.

Preserving the historical significance of the park is what we do. To join the Friends or help with contributions, see our “Support for” or “Friends of” Monterey Pass” pages on this website. In the meantime, be well, be safe and enjoy our park.

Recurring Activities:

  • Board Meetings: Meetings of the Friends of Monterey Pass Board are held at the Museum on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
  • Monterey Pass Park Hours: The park is open to the public from dawn to dusk year round. Evening hour activities can be approved by the Chairman of the Board of Washington Township or his designated representative. The Pavilion must be scheduled through Washington Township. Contact information is located on our “Contact Us” page.
  • Museum Hours for 2024: Monterey Pass Museum will be open each Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, from April 6th to November 10th, 2024. A wide array of artifacts, stories, books and more are available each weekend. A great place to start or stop your exploration of the trails and scenic overlooks in the park.
  • 4-Seasons Photo Contest: Friends of Monterey Pass are looking for striking digital images to celebrate Monterey Pass during any of the 4 seasons of the year. Each annual contest runs between August 1st and July 31st. Prizes for the best three photos are $125, $75 and $50. Detailed Rules and Guidelines are available for download. Join the fun. Please visit again in August 2024 when winners will be announced at the Museum.

Special Events (in Chronological Order):

  • Mar 30, 10am – 12am: Docent Training for the Museum’s 2024 Season  At the beginning of each season, new and old Museum Docents are provided an initial / refresher session at the museum.  They review sales procedures, forms for volunteer help and for donations, new exhibits, opening and closing procedures, 2024 events and future projects in and around the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park.  The Friends are always looking for more docents and other volunteers to help with summer activities. If you are interested, or know of others who enjoy sharing our local history with guests from throughout the nation, contact us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.
  • Apr 3 – 19:  Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of the Institute will be hosting 5th Graders from the Waynesboro School District Starting Wednesday, April 3rd through Friday, April 19th.  Students will enjoy two programs, Monterey Peak Adventures and Civil War: Battle at Monterey Pass.  They will hike to the Monterey Peak observation deck and learn about forest ecology and the geologic features surrounding them. They will also get an overview of the Civil War as well as the battle that took place at midnight along the Mason-Dixon Line in July 1863. Students will tour the museum and experience hands on activities to learn about the everyday lives of the Civil War soldiers.
  • Apr 6 – Nov 10: Museum is open for 2024 Season (Every Sat & Sun, 10am – 4pm)
  • Apr 13 – 14:  Living History Weekend – Military Encampment and Battle Reenactment.  Join the War Between the States Society as Union Cavalry Mounted and Dismounted units the 1st WV Cavalry and the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan Cavalry, face off against Confederate units the 1st MD Cavalry, the 5th AL Infantry, and the 5th, 12th, 20th and 23rd North Carolina Infantry to reenact camp life and the Battle of Monterey Pass. Units will be available late Friday afternoon – Sunday to share camp life, the school of the soldier, and unit histories.  A blacksmith will demonstrate era skills and have items for sale.  Author Joel Moore will have his new new bok and other stories. In addition, the following specific events will occur each day:
    • Battle of Monterey Pass Reenactment
      • Sat      2 – 3pm
      • Sun     1 – 2pm
    • Unit Reviews
      • Sat     10am – 4pm 
      • Sun    10:30am – 3pm
    • Blacksmith
      • Sat     10am-3pm 
      • Sun    10am-2pm
  • Apr 21: Music in the Park – Waynesboro Area High School Band (2 – 3 pm). Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.  
  • May 7 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm:  Garden Talk #2 of 5: Terrific Tomato Tips  Civil War Garden at Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, 14325 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, PA.  Free program. Gardening expert Melissa Irwin presents an in-the-garden program. What’s not to love about sweet, juicy tomatoes straight from the garden? Learn everything you need to know from planting to choosing varieties to pruning, harvesting and more! Make your tomato plants the envy of the neighborhood this summer. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online at buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. Hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of The Institute in partnership with Monterey Pass Battlefield Park. Website link: https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/event/garden-talk-2-spring-2024/
  • May 11: Civil War Trails Sign Dedication (program TBD).
  • May 11 – 12: Living History Weekend at the Battlefield Park:  Join contemporary representatives of the 2nd United States Sharpshooters (USSS) as they demonstrate Sharpshooter skills and techniques, and soldiers lives during the Civil War.  Sharpshooters and skirmishers played a major role in Civil War Battles.  Both sides used these means to find and determine the shape of their adversaries formations.  Schedule includes:
    • Camp Life Open to Visit
      • Sat    9:30am – 4pm 
      • Sun   10am – 2pm 
    • Sharp Shooters Tactical Demos (blank fire)   
      • Sat & Sun     10am – 1pm
  • May 11 – 12 :  Also this weekend, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.   A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sat – 11am & 2pm, Sun – 11am)
  • May 14 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm: Garden Talk #3 of 5: Mastering Companion Planting  Civil War Garden at Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, 14325 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, PA.  Free program. Gardening expert Melissa Irwin presents an in-the-garden program. Knowing which plants belong close together in the garden can be the difference between failure and sweet success. Learn all you need to know about how to use plants to attract pollinators, deter pests, provide soil nutrients and more. Companion planting allows you to let nature do the work for you. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online at buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. Hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of The Institute in partnership with Monterey Pass Battlefield Park. Website link: https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/event/garden-talk-3-spring-2024/
  • May 21 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm: Garden Talk #4 of 5: Salad Greens Success  Civil War Garden at Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, 14325 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, PA.  Free program. Gardening expert Melissa Irwin presents an in-the-garden program. Growing your own salad greens is one of the easiest ways to provide fresh food year-round from your garden. Learn everything from how to start your own seeds to season extension and explore the wide variety of greens that you can grow right at home! Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online at buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. Hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of The Institute in partnership with Monterey Pass Battlefield Park. Website link: https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/event/garden-talk-4-spring-2024/
  • May 28 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm:  Garden Talk #5 of 5: What Is Permaculture? Permaculture Basics  Civil War Garden at Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, 14325 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, PA.  Free program. Gardening expert Melissa Irwin presents an in-the-garden program. Have you been wanting to learn how you can minimize work in the yard, maximize yield from your garden, heal the earth, and live a richer, healthier life that’s rooted in nature? If so, permaculture might be the answer for you! Learn the basics of permaculture and how it is changing lives all around the world. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online at buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. Hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center, Home of The Institute in partnership with Monterey Pass Battlefield Park. Website link: https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/event/garden-talk-5-spring-2024/
  • Jun 1 – 23: Book Sale:
    • On weekdays from June 1 – 23: Take your old books to R. Lee Royer’s office at 10764 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro PA, during their normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm).
    • On Saturdays and Sundays, June 1 – 23, from 10 am to 4 pm, come to the Museum to find that book you’ve been looking for.
    • For more information on book drop-offs, or the book sale, call 717-762-5619, or email leeroyerassociates@comcast.net, or montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.
    • All books not purchased will be donated to the Blue Ridge Summit Library at their Iced Cream Social on Jul 20th at the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library (see below)
  • Jun 9: One day only, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.  A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sunday only – 11am)
  • Jun 29, (1 – 4 pm):  Music in the Park – Bobby D and the Truck Stop Burritos – Bobby D. and the Truckstop Burritos are Bobby Miller, Greg Johnson, David Repass, and Ragan Potts.   A local favorite, known for their special brand of honky tonk country and rock, fans and newcomers can expect a lively, fun show. For more on Bobby D, click here.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.  
  • Jun XXth Living History Weekend – Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.  Under Construction – check back later
  • Jul 4 – 7: Museum Open for the Full 4th of July Weekend: By popular demand, the museum will extend its normal schedule to cover the full 4th of July weekend.
  • Jul 5 – 7: Living History Weekend – Thunder & Mud, A Preservation March: Meet living historians as they recreate part of the Army of Northern Virginia’s retreat from Gettysburg to the Potomac River, resulting in the Battle of Monterey Pass!
    • Marchers will traverse over 8 miles of the historic route from Fairfield to Monterey. They will following the same Old Mariah Furnace Road used by Lee’s wagon train, and end on the grounds of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum.
    • Marchers will portray the 1st North Carolina Sharpshooter Battalion as they act as rear guard to protect the Army of Northern Virginia’s vulnerable supply train headed toward South Mountain and the safety of the Old Dominion. Other living historians and interpreters will be present throughout the weekend at the Museum grounds, with displays representing the pursuing Federal forces, civilians, and other elements of the Civil War era in the region.
      • These interactive interpreters will be present on the grounds of the Museum to greet visitors from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday and 9AM to 2PM on Sunday.
      • March participants will be arriving on the grounds sometime between 12:00PM and 1:00PM depending on march conditions.
    • All living history participants will follow strict uniform guidelines to accurately portray the men of the 1st North Carolina Sharpshooter Battalion, will be issued food rations appropriate for the retreat from Gettysburg, and will use only equipment available during this period as documented from historical resources.
    • This event is supported by partnering organization Civil War Historical Impressions and co-coordinated by Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley and Timothy Smith. For event questions and inquiries, please email AshleySonntag@gmail.com.  
  • Jul 20:  Blue Ridge Summit (BRS) Library Iced Cream Social and Book Sale (9am – 2pm) – at the BRS library.  The Iced Cream Social is a 47 Year tradition of the BRS library, raising funds for the Building Board.  It includes a book sale, food, vendors music and children’s games.   The Friends of Monterey Pass are proud to lend support.  For more on this event, email brsmtnboard@gmail.com.      
  • Jul 28:  One day only, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.  A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sunday only – 11am)
  • Jul 31 – 4 Seasons Photo Contest submission deadline: see details here;  also August 1st is the start date for the 5th Annual Contest for 2024 – 2025.  
  • Jul XXth (1 – 4 pm) Music in the Park – Band to be determined. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.   Dates to be determined. Under Construction – check back later
  • Aug 10: Civil War Relics Day (10 am – 4 pm): For all collectors, an open invitation to share your artifacts and relics of the Civil War with friends and neighbors at the Museum.
  •  Aug 10:  Announce the winners of our 4th Annual Photo Contest at the Museum (12 noon)
  • Aug 18:  One day only, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.  A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sunday only – 11am)
  • Aug 31, 1 – 4 pm:  Music in the Park – FrankCo Penn – The BrewGrass Chronicle says “FrankCo Penn is short for Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It’s . . . the geo-center for the band, all of whom live in the county or a short dash away. . . . It’s a bunch of the region’s top pickers, guys who play in other bands, getting together socially, just them, their instruments, and perhaps some refreshments. Or at least it was until a few months ago when they played out together for the first time.”  Come see for yourself.  For more on FrankCo Penn, click here.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.    Date and band is correct. Food, Beverages and Inclement weather date to be determined
  • Aug XXth Living History Weekend – Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.  Under Construction – check back later
  • Sep 14 – 15:  Living History Weekend at the Battlefield Park – Join us for Artillery and Infantry demonstrations by the 2nd Maryland Artillery (Baltimore Light Artillery) and the 110th Pennsylvania Co H.  Also featuring “Civil War Historical Impressions” Doug Decker portraying Fed Surgeon Dr Brinton who will discuss field medicine.  All strive to re-create the best impressions of Civil War life possible based on research and documentation.  In addition, learn about Civil War uniforms and paint a soldier you can keep.  Supplies limited, so please register in advance with John Welker at johnwelker117@gmail.com. The schedule includes:
    • Infantry Reenactments:
      • Daily 9:30am & 1pm
    • Artillery Demos:
      • Daily: 10am & 1:30pm   
    • Medical Displays: Daily
    • Camp Life Open to Visit:                     
      • Sat      9:30am – 5pm          
      • Sun     9:30am – 2pm
    • Bring the Past to Life with Paint:
      • Sat at Noon
  • Sep 14 – 15 :  Also this weekend, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.   A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sat – 11am & 2pm, Sun – 11am)
  • Nov 10th – Last day of the 2024 Season: The Museum will be open for the last time this year from 10 am – 4 pm.

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