In Memoriam: Chris Calkins
Anyone who has studied the Petersburg Campaign and Lee’s retreat to Appomattox has read the work of historian Chris Calkins. Chris worked for the NPS at several Civil War sites before settling in as chief of interpretation at Petersburg National Battlefield. After retiring from the NPS, he managed Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Historic Park, which he had played a key role in preserving. His work on the Appomattox Campaign was seminal.
ECW was sad to learn of Chris’s passing on April 1, 2026, at the age of 75. You can read his full obituary here. Several folks at ECW had worked with Chris over the years, and we share their reflections on Chris’s work.
————
Tim Talbott: In 2006, as a newly-minted employee at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, I tried to learn as much as possible from not only reading books and articles, but also walking the battlefields and talking to those “in the know.” Fortunately, I had great resources, both on hand via the staff at the Pamplin and with the folks and the programming available at Petersburg National Battlefield (PNB). I quickly came to understand that one of the most knowledgeable and approachable rangers at PNB was Chris Calkins. So, just about any time that I saw that Chris was giving a program, I’d try to be there to soak up the smarts he was sharing.
When I came back to Pamplin in 2015 in a director’s role, Chris had moved on a few years earlier to lead things at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic State Park, but he still lived in Petersburg. We’d always chat a few minutes when we ran into each other at events around town. When we started the Petersburg Civil War Round Table at Pamplin in 2018, he became our vice president. He was at just about every meeting until unfortunately his health condition began to prevent it.
Chris was such a personable individual. Although he had earned a strong reputation with his research and writing, as well as on the preservation and public history fronts, he remained extremely humble and was always willing to take time to share his knowledge and offer suggestions on where to search when seeking answers to historical questions. The last opportunity I had to spend some time with Chris was when my wife and I invited him and Zach Pittard over to our apartment for a spaghetti dinner. I think it was in 2018. Zach worked with Chris at Sailor’s Creek for a time before coming over to Pamplin and they had a close relationship. We all had a great evening talking about history, telling public history stories, and sharing lots of laughs. I regret not taking a picture of that get together. Chris left an indelible mark on the Civil War history field, and particularly when in came to the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaign. We should all aspire to be more like the historian and the person that he was.
Chris Kolakowski: This is very sad news. Chris was a good guy and a great historian. He did so much for so many years to enhance and shape our understanding of Petersburg and the campaign to Appomattox. He also left his physical mark on those sites in countless ways, and Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Park wouldn’t exist without him. From now on, everyone who studies that period of the war will stand on his shoulders.
Given all this, it is fitting, as others have noted, that he passed on the anniversary of Five Forks.
He was most helpful to others writing about the Siege of Petersburg, such as myself. Back in the ’80s he drew the maps for the first edition of my first book, “The Destruction of the Weldon Railroad, August 14-25, 1864” and in the 90s he produced the flag of the 12th Virginia from a footlocker at Petersburg National Battlefield Park for my book on “The Petersburg Regiment.” May he rest in piece.
I had the opportunity to work with Chris while I was at Appomattox and he was at Sailor’s Creek. We helped plan the 150th commemorations together. I was amazed at his knowledge, passion, and generosity. He got the Sailor’s Creek park off the ground as a new state park and it will be his legacy. A few years ago I was asked to assist with revising some of his books. It was an absolute pleasure. His mind was so sharp, he remembered every detail, every source, everything I asked he could remember. He is definitely someone who made a difference!