Richmond
River City
General Information
Other Name: Capital of the South, District: Virginia, State: South, United States of America
Area: 62.5 sq mi
Languages Spoken: English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States.Richmond is one of twelve cities in the United States to be home to a Federal Reserve Bank. There are also nine Fortune 500, and thirteen Fortune 1000 companies in the city. Tourism is also important, as many historic sights are in or nearby the city.Richmond has many diverse sights and attractions that will appeal to most interests. The capital of Virginia, Richmond is also known as the Capital of Confederacy. Renowned for its appreciation and preservation of its history, Richmond is brimming with historical sights and attractions detailing its past. History buffs will love Agecroft Hall, originally built in Lancashire, England, and brought to Virginia in the 1920s, and the Valentine Museum, where Richmond`s diverse past is honored. Visitors can transport themselves back in time and take a guided walking or driving tour of Historic Downtown Richmond, where some of the oldest buildings still stand. This city is also home to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest and most extensive fine arts collections in the south.Location
-Climate
Humid subtropical climate
The fascinating history of Agecroft Hall makes this attraction well worth a visit. The Tudor style building is over 500 years old and has been built, disassembled, shipped across the Atlantic in crates, and then rebuilt. Today the beautifully restored Agecroft Hall is open to visitors and is surrounded by stunning English style gardens.
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center is a tribute to prominent Black figures in Virginia''s history. The museum also seeks to preserve the history and culture of Blacks in the state. The permanent collection is titled Banks, Boutiques and the ''Deuce'': the Legacy of Jackson Ward.
Stretching from downtown Richmond to Shockoe Bottom, Canal Walk is a must for visitors. The 1.25-mile / 2-km walk allows you to soak up the Richmond waterfront, while also enjoying an educational experience. Brass plaques along the walk enlighten strollers about the history of the canals and locks along the way, and maps, artifacts and pictures enhance these stories. The canal can also be enjoyed by boat.
The Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond will be of interest to fans of this famous writer. The museum looks at Poe''s life, career, and his time in Richmond. On display are some of his original manuscripts, documents and personal items.
Although you might think a cemetery an unlikely tourist attraction, the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond has some prominent graves of significant players in the Civil War, including Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General J.E.B. Stuart, presidents James Monroe and John Tyler as well as 18,000 Confederate soldiers. A pleasant place to browse the historical headstones, Hollywood offers excellent city views from its serene location on the James River.
The Lewis Ginter Garden in Richmond is a delight for the senses. Beautiful gardens of lovingly tended flowers and trees smell and look amazing. The gardens are spread over 40 acres and feature walking trails and a treehouse for children.
Richmond is named so after the series of statues of Confederate heroes that were erected here by late 19th-century town planners. Among those honored are Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Robert East Lee and General Jackson, while the recent addition of tennis champion Arthur Ashe has appeased the culturally diverse community that has become the modern Richmond of today. The avenue is a popular place to stroll and enjoy the many impressive attractions and monuments.
One of Richmond''s most popular attractions and perfect for a family day out, Maymont House offers a wealth of period furniture, impressive gardens, a small zoo, children''s farm and a collection of carriages among other points of interest. Constructed in 1893, the home is situated on the banks of the James River and is an excellent example of Victorian landscaping and architecture of its time.
In Capitol Square in Richmond is the imposing State Capitol, built in 1785-8 to the design of Thomas Jefferson, who took as his model the Roman temple known as the Maison Carree in Nimes. The Capitol was the scene of major events in American history, including the ratification of Virginia''s secession and Robert E. Lee''s appointment as commander of the Southern army. The statue of George Washington in the lobby was the work of Jean-Antoine Houdon.