Virginia Museum of Fine Arts contains comprehensive collections of works from ancient times to the present. Permanent exhibits include pieces from ancient Greece, a tapestry hall, a medieval chapel and the largest collection of Faberge eggs outside of Russia. A regular schedule of temporary exhibits rounds out this comprehensive art museum. A peaceful sculpture garden provides a place for a quiet rest beside the rushing fountains. Admission is free, although USD5 donations are suggested.
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.
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.
Cold Harbor National Cemetery dates back to the time of the Civil War. The cemetery is situated in Hanover County at the place where the Battle of Cold Harbor was fought.
Church Hill, or St. John's Church Historic District is a historic district located in Richmond, Virginia. The district has a rich history related to the Revolutionary War and the subsequent laying of underground railroads. The homes in the neighborhood have been designed in Greek Revival and Federal architecture by Byrd and William. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Tours to the historic district are available.
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.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts contains comprehensive collections of works from ancient times to the present. Permanent exhibits include pieces from ancient Greece, a tapestry hall, a medieval chapel and the largest collection of Faberge eggs outside of Russia. A regular schedule of temporary exhibits rounds out this comprehensive art museum. A peaceful sculpture garden provides a place for a quiet rest beside the rushing fountains. Admission is free, although USD5 donations are suggested.
The Virginia War Memorial pays tribute to the Virginians who died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. When visiting the Memorial, there are highlights that visitors must not miss. There is the Shrine of Memory (open 5 am - midnight daily), which features stone and glass walls and 12,000 engraved names of the fallen from WWI, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War. Next is the 23-foot, marble statue of Memory at the southern end of the Shrine, the Torch of Liberty, an eternal flame that resides at the base of Memory and the flag court that features seven flags representing the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Merchant Marines and the Virginia War Memorial. The Memorial is a blending of history and beauty, a must-see if you are in Richmond.
Petersburg National Battlefield Park in Virginia was the site of a ten-month siege during the Civil War because of its strategic location to nearby Richmond. One of the most notable events at the battlefield was the Battle of the Crater, where Union soldiers dug tunnels to detonate explosives under Confederate lines, leaving a large crater that can still be seen today. The park also honors the contributions of the United States Colored Troops, who served in the Union army during the Civil War. Visitors can explore the park through guided or self-guided trails to learn more about this significant event in American history.