Richmond is the capitol of the Commonwealth
of Virginia. It is a lively and interesting city with a history
that is long, rich and troubled. During the American Civil war,
Richmond was the capitol of the so-called Confederate States of
America, and its identity as a city is inextricably tied to that
era.
There are many sites of historical interest in Richmond. Along
with several fantastically preserved antebellum plantation houses
and Civil War sites like Belle Isle, a former P.O.W. camp along
the canal, visitors can choose from numerous interesting Museums.
The Museum of the Confederacy is dedicated to the region’s
Civil War past. The Black History Museum & Cultural Center
chronicles notable achievements by African American Virginians.
Literary history enthusiasts simply must visit the Edgar Allen
Poe Museum, a block from the author’s former residence in
Shockoe Bottom.
It’s not all mid-19th century American history in Richmond,
however. Outdoors adventure is never far away in Richmond Virginia.
There are 7 state parks within an hour’s drive of the city
where visitors can hike, camp, fish or hunt to their hearts content.
There’s lots of fun to be had on the James River, either
taking in the sights on the 1 ½ mile Canal Walk, or touring
the Richmond Canal by boat. The James Park River Park System has
plenty of fun family activities, as well as white-water rafting
opportunities up to category V. Kids won’t be bored either,
thanks to the proximity of great amusement parks like Busch Gardens
and Water Country USA, the east coast’s largest water park.
Virginia takes its “southern aristocracy”
very seriously. The FFV (First Families of Virginia) can trace their
ancestry back to the Jamestown colony of 1670. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts can boast
the largest collection of Faberge Eggs outside of Russia. Dancer and local philanthropist Bill “Mr.
Bojangles” Robinson was born in Richmond. His statue stands on
the corner of Leigh and Adam Streets.
