Joshua Lindamood, a founding member of the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society, has devoted much of his life to historic preservation and the protection of local sites he considers sacred. Like his fellow board members, Joshua is passionately committed to safeguarding history for future generations and takes pride in giving voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Raised in Southwest Virginia, Joshua developed an early fascination with the American Civil War. The 1993 release of the film Gettysburg had a profound impact on him, sparking a lifelong passion for Civil War history. What began as a childhood interest deepened over time, especially after he and his father joined a local preservation organization. Through this involvement, Joshua gained a broader, more nuanced understanding of the war from multiple perspectives. A proud descendant of both Union and Confederate servicemen, he has spent years honoring his ancestors by visiting battlefields along the East Coast.

Joshua’s professional background reflects a deep commitment to historical education and interpretation. In 2014, he joined the American Civil War Museum as a Lead Education Specialist. Later that year, he became a first-person living historian at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where he discovered a passion for public education and honed his skills as a professional interpreter and battlefield guide. In 2018, Joshua accepted a position at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, where he led efforts to revitalize the park’s education and interpretation programs. Drawn to the significance of the battle fought there on April 6, 1865, he conducted extensive research into its strategic and logistical impact—not only on the Appomattox Campaign, but on the broader trajectory of the Civil War.

One of Joshua’s major ongoing research projects centers on the historic Overton-Hillsman House, located on the grounds of the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield. His investigations revealed that the house was the birthplace of Dr. Robert Russa Moton, a prominent American educator and early Civil Rights leader. This discovery has been instrumental in shaping a new exhibit at the park’s Visitor Center and has enriched the narrative Joshua and his interpretive team share with the public. He remains committed to expanding and deepening the park’s educational offerings in the years ahead, with a strong focus on presenting a balanced, inclusive, and well-researched interpretation of history that gives visitors a full, unbiased understanding of the past.

Through his work as a historian, educator, and preservationist, Joshua Lindamood continues to bridge the past and present—ensuring that the stories of all who came before are told with honesty, respect, and depth. Whether through battlefield interpretation, archival research, or community engagement, his mission remains clear: to preserve the integrity of our shared history and to inspire others to see its relevance today. As he looks to the future, Joshua remains guided by a deep sense of responsibility—to the places he serves, the people whose stories he tells, and the generations yet to come.