DATE: Sunday, March 16, 1997                TAG: 9703140087

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:  140 lines

VISIT SITE THAT FIGURED IN CIVIL WAR'S END

CIVIL WAR buffs: Time to fall in and march off into the 1860s. Pamplin Park Civil War site opens a new exhibit, ``A Land Worth Fighting For'' and is hosting a Civil War Weekend Saturday and next Sunday at Tudor Park, the plantation house on the grounds.

Maybe you don't know Pamplin Park. It's near Petersburg. It's a private historical park, owned and managed by the Pamplin Foundation of Portland, Ore. It was founded by Robert Pamplin Sr., a native of Dinwiddie County and a descendant of the Boisseau family that originally owned Tudor Hall.

The park preserves the ground where Union troops commanded by Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant broke through the elaborate Confederate defenses commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee near Petersburg on April 2, 1865. This battle led to the evacuation of Petersburg and the march to the surrender place at Appomattox.

Tudor Hall, built in 1812, has been renovated to reflect both the Boisseaus' occupancy - a typical upper-middle class plantation before, during and after the war - and its use as a Confederate brigade headquarters.

The Civil War Weekend features living interpreters, including storyteller Dylan Pritchett portraying the life of a slave; and demonstrations, including re-enactors from the 16th Virginia Infantry from Billy Mahone's Brigade and the 155th New York Infantry from Buffalo.

Hours for the weekend are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children 6-11. To get there from South Hampton Roads, take U.S. 460 west to Petersburg, then Interstate 85 south. From I-85 take exit 63A (U.S. 1 south) and go 3/4 mile and turn left on Virginia Route 670 (Duncan Road). Pamplin Park is 1/2 mile on the left. PICTURE THIS

Imagine yourself linguistically challenged, at a loss for words in some foreign country. And you need to make yourself understood. Where's that phrase book? Well, forget it.

Alan Stillman believes a picture is worth a thousands words. He's created Kwikpoint, a laminated, three-fold, pocket-size brochure containing more than 600 internationally recognized color illustrations of everyday items you may need - gasoline, lodging, telephone, ice cream, condoms. Even illustrations of how you want your meat cooked - rare, medium or well done.

The Pentagon reportedly has ordered over 80,000 to give to foreign-based U.S. servicemen and women. You can get one by sending a $6 check or money order to Gaia Communications, P.O. Box 238, Alexandria, Va. 22313-0238. Or you can order one from Magellan's catalog (800) 962-4943. BIRTHDAY BASHES

The 207th birthday of President John Tyler will be celebrated March 29 at Sherwood Forest, his Charles City County home. Activities begin at 11 with a welcome by his grandson Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for students, but visitors with a valid Virginia driver's license receive a $2.07 discount for the birthday events. Clever. Sherwood Forest is about 30 minutes west of Williamsburg on Virginia Route 5. Info: (804) 829-5377.

The 254th birthday of Thomas Jefferson will be celebrated April 13 at Monticello with a performance by the 3rd U.S. Infantry (Old Guard) fife and drum corps and a wreath-laying ceremony. Admission is $8. Monticello is just southeast of Charlottesville off I-64. Info: (804) 984-9822.

Another particularly interesting time to visit Monticello is July 4, the day on which the Jefferson-authored Declaration of Independence was made public (and the day of Jefferson's death 50 years later). More than 70 people from countries around the world will take the oath of U.S. citizenship on Monticello's west lawn, and retired Gen. Colin Powell will give the keynote address. GARDEN TOUR UPDATE

The 64th annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia is April 19-26. For information on specific areas and dates, call (804) 644-7776.

The Edenton, N.C., Biennial Pilgrimage tour of homes is April 18-19. For information on special events, prices and accommodations, call (800) 775-0111. The Historic Edenton Antique Show and Sale is March 21-23.

The 50th annual Festival of Houses and Gardens at Charleston, S.C., is March 20 through April 19. Info: (803) 722-3405. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

International Student Identity Card, $19, offers sickness and accident insurance, 24-hour traveler's assistance hotline, discounts on air fare, buses, Club Med, ski resorts, adventure tours, attractions, etc., in 90 countries. Toll-free info: (888) COUNCIL. Ask for the free Student Travel Planning Guide.

This year's 188-page Virginia Travel Guide, which includes suggested itineraries for each of six travel regions, is free for the asking. Call (800) 932-5827.

Travelers to Washington can save $20-40 a night off normal rates at 75 hotels by calling Capitol Reservations at (800) 847-4832. There is no charge for the service.

Broadway Bed & Breakfast Inn, 264 W. 46th St., in New York, offers rooms from $75/single to $150 for deluxe two-room suite. Includes breakfast, 20 percent off at on-premises restaurant. Info: (800) 826-6300.

Las Vegas deal: Hotel Reservations Network offers introductory midweek rates at the Sahara, $39/night; Stratosphere, $49; Luxor and Orleana, $59. Some restrictions apply. Info: (800) 96-HOTEL.

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort celebrates its first anniversary with a special Magical Getaway rate: Now through June 12 (but not March 25-April 19), a two-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 8) is $129/night. Info: (800) 453-4911. CALENDAR ITEM

The Virginia Eastern Shore Seafood Festival is May 7 at Tom's Cove Campground in Chincoteague. Sure, it's a long way off. But think about this: Little Neck steamed clams, clams and oysters on the half shell, clam and oyster fritters, fried clams, fried fish, chicken, hush puppies, sweet potatoes. OK, now send for your tickets - $25 each plus $3 for certified mail - to the Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 460, Melfa, Va. 23410. ARE YOU PACKED YET?

Well, you should at least be planning your summer vacation by now. Have you got all the luggage you need, all the other gear? Maybe you haven't even decided what all you need.

Check out the catalogs of some mail-order companies that specialize in travel products. Lots of ideas there - maybe some you haven't thought of.

Here are some I would recommend, with toll-free phone numbers:

L.L. Bean (clothes, accessories and other gear) (800) 809-7057.

Magellan's (especially for travel accessories and electronics), (800) 962-4943.

TravelSmith (mainly clothing), (800) 950-1600.

Orvis Travel (mainly clothes), (800) 541-3541.

Norm Thompson (mainly clothes), (800) 547-1160.

Willis & Geiger (mainly clothes), (800) 223-1408.

If you're in the market for luggage, you might want to check Jobson's, (800) 221-5238, a New York City store that routinely discounts merchandise up to 40 percent off list price. Jobson's is one of the nation's largest mail-order luggage companies. Its employees will quote prices for nearly any brand and style of luggage and ship orders within 24 hours. If you're not sure what you want, Jobson's staff will discuss your needs and, based on your budget, fax photos of suggested items. If not pleased with what you order, you can return it for a full refund. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

PAMPLIN PARK

Pamplin Park near Petersburg is opening an exhibit, ``A Land Worth

Fighting For,'' and hosting a Civil War weekend Saturday and next

Sunday.

GAIA COMMUNICATIONS

The Kwikpoint International Traveler enables you to get what you

want in a foreign land, even if you don't speak the language.

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