Founded in 1847, Hollywood is one of the oldest cemeteries in Richmond. Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General J.E.B. Stuart, Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, novelists James Branch Cabel and Ellen Glasgow, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers, 11,000 of the unknown, are a few examples of the historical figures buried here. Hollywood has the city's best view of the James River. When the cemetery was first established, neighbors declared that the rushing of the falls would, literally, wake the dead. Guided tours are available on the last Sunday of each month through October.
Built-in 1893, this beautiful home on the James River is a classic example of Victorian architecture and landscaping. Maymont Mansion is filled with period furniture including a magnificent swan bed. Trees and plants from all over the world were cultivated here by the owners. The English, Japanese and Italian gardens are romantic spots for strolling and picnicking. A carriage collection, children's farm, and small zoo are other favorite attractions.
It was here that the Virginia Convention of 1775 met to discuss the question of taking arms against the British. One of the oldest wooden buildings in Virginia, delegates to the Convention - including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry - had convened in this very spot. And it was here where Patrick Henry gave his famous speech and said the following famous lines: "Give me liberty or give me death!" Visitors can reenact this experience by watching the live performances offered by professional actors and further enrich their knowledge of history by visiting the city's first public cemetery.
North Anna Battlefield Park is the 172-acre site of the May 1864 Battle of North Anna, which has now transformed into a place with walking trails, a picnic place, and historic interpretive signs that point out trenches and rifle pits from the past. Bring your family and friends to soak in some sunshine and indulge in American history. Some trails, such as the Blue Trail, may include steep hills and require strenuous activity.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson with architect Charles-Louis Clérisseau, this Classic Revival building was modeled after a Roman temple, the Maison Carrée in Nimes. It was completed in 1788 and is the second oldest capitol in continuous use in the country. The focal point of the building is the central rotunda featuring a life-size statue of George Washington, said to be the only one for which he actually posed. A smaller dome displays busts of the eight American presidents from Virginia. The old Hall of the House of Delegates, where the legislature met until 1906, is now a museum. Free tours, lasting about 30 minutes, are offered here. Visitors can stroll around the Capitol grounds and see the nearby Executive Mansion.
By boat or by foot the Richmond Canal Walk is a beautiful and educational experience. Take a guided tour or learn about the site on your own. Trek through wooden steps, cobbled streets, and dirt trails - you certainly won't be bored with all of the pathways this walk offers. Brass disks embedded in the sidewalk, maps, photos and artifacts note historical events and people associated with the canals and locks.
A red-brick structure built in the Gothic-Revival style, Immanuel Episcopal Church can trace its beginnings back to 1853. The church is surrounded by the cemetery on three sides. Immanuel Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Cited right on Capitol Square, the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial is a testament to Barbara Rose Johns' bravery. Not widely known but still an extremely important figure in the civil rights movement, Barbara is fondly referred to as "Virginia's Rosa Parks." The then 16-year-old led a strike for equal education at Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia. Her suit was used in the historic 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, in which the court ruled against "separate but equal," ending segregation in American public schools. The Civil Rights Memorial celebrates the spirit of Barbara Johns, Moton High School, community leaders and civil rights attorneys.
The First African Baptist Church was founded in 1841 in Richmond, Virginia. It boasts of a great history and there was a point in time when it was one of the largest Protestant churches in the country. The structure follows the rare Greek Doric style of architecture. It organizes varied events like the Homecoming Fall Revival and Share Fair Fellowship to list a few. The church office hours are 10:00a to 4:00p from Monday to Friday. With tremendous historic significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1969.
Fort Harrison National Cemetery is one of the many national cemeteries of the City of Richmond. This cemetery is the burial ground of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of New Market Heights. Nearly 1,500 soldiers and remains were buried here, many are unmarked; African-American soldiers who were a part of the U.S. Colored Troops in the Battle of New Market Heights are also buried here. A few captured Confederate soldiers are also buried here. While touring the cemetery, check-out the on-site lodge designed by Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs. The cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk and visitors are expected to maintain decorum.