The Civil War Trails system guides visitors at more than 1,200 sites throughout Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina. Once such site is located at Scott’s United Methodist Church, where visitors can learn about Nathaniel (Nace) Hopkins.  Born into slavery in 1831, Nathaniel (Nace) Hopkins, went on to self-emancipate and fight during the Civil War. After the war, he founded ‘The Emancipation Celebration Day,’ in 1867, and it became an annual tradition affectionately called ‘Nace’s Day.’ The celebration featured a parade, church services, choir, and food. Hopkins would go on to lead the celebratory parade, every year, until his death in 1900. It was said that Hopkins lead the parade in his full U.S. Army uniform, complete with colorful sash and sword in hand.