Richmond, Virginia
Visitors have been stopping in Richmond for over 400 years. The first English visitors were Captains Christopher Newport and John Smith in 1607. With so much history behind it, Richmond visitors today have many options to glean an understanding of this beautiful city’s background.
Richmondcame upon its name in 1737; when William Byrd II was gazing upon the James River, the bend in it reminded him of the bend in the Thames in Richmond, England. Today, Richmond is known for its past as the capital of the confederacy, the second successful English settlement, and for being the site of Patrick Henry'sfamous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech1.
The first stop on any historical tour of Richmond must be the state’s official museum of Virginian history, the Virginia Historical Society. This museum hosts excellent exhibitions tailored to all ages. Their 25,000+ square feet that contain about thirteen exhibition galleries have garnered the society many awards and places them among the largest historical societies in the country. Exhibits, displaying a plethora of Virginia artifacts, cover all Virginian regions throughout each century. The Virginia Historical Society’s long term exhibitions include “The Story of Virginia, an American Experience”; “Virginians at Work; The Virginia Manufactory of Arms Collection”; “Four Seasons of the Confederacy: Murals by Charles Hoffbauer”; “Making the Confederate Murals”; and “Solving History’s Mysteries: A History Discovery Lab,” among others. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits, a list of which can be viewed at their website ahead of time. Your family budget will be pleased with the museum’s miniscule entrance fee of $5 for adults, free daily admission for children, and free admission on Sundays for all.
If you’re in the mood for more museum hopping, stop into the Valentine Richmond History Center in the Court End area of the historic downtown, which focuses more specifically on Richmond’s history throughout the last four centuries. The Valentine Richmond History Center was originally opened in 1898! Today it includes the Wickham House, wonderfully restored to its original 1812 neoclassical beauty. Visitors can tour through the Wickham House’s luxurious interior, gaze at the paintings, and then imagine life in the sparse slave quarters. In addition to the Wickham House, the Valentine consists of the Edward Valentine Sculptural Studio, named after the sculptor of the entire collection, who actually created all of the work in the same studio where they are housed today. The sculptures themselves depict interesting points in Richmond’s history. Other exhibits inside the Valentine Richmond History Center include "Preserving Richmond's History: Curators at Work" and "Discovering Collections, Making Connections."
The Virginia War Memorial and Virginia Holocaust Museum offer insights into World War II. The Virginia War Memorial displays the names of more than 11,600 Virginia heroes who perished in both World War II and the Korean War. The Shrine of Memory and Memorial Building were dedicated in 1956.
The Virginia Holocaust Museum has sought to teach “tolerance through education” since their opening in 2003 through the twenty-seven exhibits and frequent events, lectures, and films. In addition to the exhibits, the museum maintains a synagogue, a Survivor’s Room, and a Cattle Car. Among the exhibits, you will be astounded by “the hiding place,” the tiny space where thirteen people hid for nine months. The museum itself walks you through what many Jewish people experienced during the war; with German soldiers, ghettos, an escape route, traveling in a cattle car, a gas chamber, a crematory, liberation from camps, and a displaced person camp.
Another interesting historical stop enlightening visitors on Richmond’s past is the Wilton House Museum, an 18th century style plantation home set along the James River. After the wear and use of many families throughout the years, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased the home and decided to have the house reconstructed close to its original location. Today, you can learn about the home’s English Georgian style, the lifestyle of the past owners, and the list of famous visitors they entertained, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Michelle’s at Hanover Tavern, is an excellent choice to satiate your historical hunger. This tavern was the Barksdale Theater from 1950-1990. Inside, patrons can choose from three rooms: inside The Verandah, you will think you’re sitting on a southern plantation, and your taste-buds will love the “new southern cuisine” offered; quite the opposite is The Montgomery Room; and more casual is The Wooden Door Pub, offering a light fare and bar menu.
Susannah Fuller is a freelance writer in Virginia whose work has appeared in a variety of magazines and publications
Virginia Tourists Guide - Richmond, Virginia
Richmondcame upon its name in 1737; when William Byrd II was gazing upon the James River, the bend in it reminded him of the bend in the Thames in Richmond, England. Today, Richmond is known for its past as the capital of the confederacy, the second successful English settlement, and for being the site of Patrick Henry'sfamous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech1.
The first stop on any historical tour of Richmond must be the state’s official museum of Virginian history, the Virginia Historical Society. This museum hosts excellent exhibitions tailored to all ages. Their 25,000+ square feet that contain about thirteen exhibition galleries have garnered the society many awards and places them among the largest historical societies in the country. Exhibits, displaying a plethora of Virginia artifacts, cover all Virginian regions throughout each century. The Virginia Historical Society’s long term exhibitions include “The Story of Virginia, an American Experience”; “Virginians at Work; The Virginia Manufactory of Arms Collection”; “Four Seasons of the Confederacy: Murals by Charles Hoffbauer”; “Making the Confederate Murals”; and “Solving History’s Mysteries: A History Discovery Lab,” among others. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits, a list of which can be viewed at their website ahead of time. Your family budget will be pleased with the museum’s miniscule entrance fee of $5 for adults, free daily admission for children, and free admission on Sundays for all.
If you’re in the mood for more museum hopping, stop into the Valentine Richmond History Center in the Court End area of the historic downtown, which focuses more specifically on Richmond’s history throughout the last four centuries. The Valentine Richmond History Center was originally opened in 1898! Today it includes the Wickham House, wonderfully restored to its original 1812 neoclassical beauty. Visitors can tour through the Wickham House’s luxurious interior, gaze at the paintings, and then imagine life in the sparse slave quarters. In addition to the Wickham House, the Valentine consists of the Edward Valentine Sculptural Studio, named after the sculptor of the entire collection, who actually created all of the work in the same studio where they are housed today. The sculptures themselves depict interesting points in Richmond’s history. Other exhibits inside the Valentine Richmond History Center include "Preserving Richmond's History: Curators at Work" and "Discovering Collections, Making Connections."
The Virginia War Memorial and Virginia Holocaust Museum offer insights into World War II. The Virginia War Memorial displays the names of more than 11,600 Virginia heroes who perished in both World War II and the Korean War. The Shrine of Memory and Memorial Building were dedicated in 1956.
The Virginia Holocaust Museum has sought to teach “tolerance through education” since their opening in 2003 through the twenty-seven exhibits and frequent events, lectures, and films. In addition to the exhibits, the museum maintains a synagogue, a Survivor’s Room, and a Cattle Car. Among the exhibits, you will be astounded by “the hiding place,” the tiny space where thirteen people hid for nine months. The museum itself walks you through what many Jewish people experienced during the war; with German soldiers, ghettos, an escape route, traveling in a cattle car, a gas chamber, a crematory, liberation from camps, and a displaced person camp.
Another interesting historical stop enlightening visitors on Richmond’s past is the Wilton House Museum, an 18th century style plantation home set along the James River. After the wear and use of many families throughout the years, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased the home and decided to have the house reconstructed close to its original location. Today, you can learn about the home’s English Georgian style, the lifestyle of the past owners, and the list of famous visitors they entertained, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Michelle’s at Hanover Tavern, is an excellent choice to satiate your historical hunger. This tavern was the Barksdale Theater from 1950-1990. Inside, patrons can choose from three rooms: inside The Verandah, you will think you’re sitting on a southern plantation, and your taste-buds will love the “new southern cuisine” offered; quite the opposite is The Montgomery Room; and more casual is The Wooden Door Pub, offering a light fare and bar menu.
Susannah Fuller is a freelance writer in Virginia whose work has appeared in a variety of magazines and publications
Virginia Tourists Guide - Richmond, Virginia
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