PACKAGE TO PUT TOURISTS ON LEE'S PATH

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 12, 1993                   TAG: 9304120070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PETERSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
PACKAGE TO PUT TOURISTS ON LEE'S PATH
A tour package promoting the path of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's retreat could mean big business for localities from Petersburg to Appomattox, a state tourism official says.
"I think it represents a great opportunity for a special market niche that already fits Virginia's state marketing efforts," said John D. Watt, director of community development for the Virginia Department of Tourism.
The promotion would include sites in Petersburg, the counties of Dinwiddie, Amelia, Nottoway, Cumberland, Buckingham, Prince Edward and Appomattox and the towns of Appomattox, Farmville and Blackstone.
Officials from the localities have met twice during the last month to discuss the proposal and will meet again April 22 to solidify plans.
William J. Martin, Petersburg tourism director, said the promotion has widespread support among citizens and political leaders.
Tentative plans call for brochures promoting two driving routes from Petersburg to Appomattox. One route is a fairly direct 90-minute drive along U.S. 460. The other tour, a four- to five-hour drive, would take tourists down country roads traveled by Lee's retreating army in the waning months of the Civil War.
"Some of these are still dirt roads on the back routes," said Chris M. Calkins, historian at the Petersburg National Battlefield. Calkins said he has been giving retreat tours for 20 years, and battlefield visitors often ask for directions to Appomattox Courthouse, the site of the surrender ceremony.
In 1982 Calkins wrote a pamphlet for tourists detailing the route.
"The problem with it is that it's too detailed. It probably takes the better portion of a day to follow," Calkins said.
The proposal calls for shorter routes detailing the area's history, shopping opportunities, state parks and other points of interest.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB