Maymont

     

 (thats Matthew's thumb in the photo)

    Maymont, located in good ole' RVA, is not just a great park, but it also contains a lot more history than most people realize!   In 1886, James and Sallie Dooley purchased the land, today known as Maymont, to build their mansion and stables on.  

     Maymont is a 100 acre Victorian Estate that was completed in 1893.  During the next three decades that followed, the Dooley family filled the house with expensive treasures from all around the world to reflect their lavish lifestyle.  They also tended to the gardens and filled them with expensive flowers.  

     With no blood relatives to take over the estate, Maymont was given to the city of Richmond to be a museum and public place for Richmonders to visit in 1925. 


     Today Maymont remains one of the hottest places to go when the weather is nice!  Take your dog, take your friends and walk around the beautiful gardens and even visit the petting zoo for children!  

    My group and I really enjoyed our time there!  Laura even got to pet a few dogs which made her jump for joy.  

If you ever visit Richmond, Maymont park and Victorian Estate should make the TOP of your list! 

St. John's Church

St. John’s Church is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it is the oldest standing church in Richmond. It was built by Colonel Richard Randolph in 1741, and was the site of Patrick Henry’s famous ‘Give me liberty, or give me death” speech at the second Virginia convention. Not only is it a part of America’s history, but it symbolizes the strength our country has by standing for over 200 years, and being visited by many, day in and day out.

The exterior of the church is simply gorgeous. The white walls of the church make it stand tall and proud with the trees surrounding it dieing to get a peek inside. When inside of the church your eyes grow huge due to the beauty.The religious styled windows make your heart melt and the the ceiling is breathtaking with the giant chandelier. By just being inside for 10 minutes you can just imagine what went on in their, from arguments to speeches, to demands to ideas.It was the home of the Second Virginia Constitution and the start of America’s independence. With one visit to this Church, your whole view on what America is today changes, and makes you realize that really, anything is possible! St. John’s Church is by far the best place to get a taste of what it was like back then.

At the Second Virginia Convention there were 120 delegators, and a few of them were, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Harrison, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Mann Randolph. Most of the debating revolved around needing to build an army/militia to free themselves from The King of England, King George III. St. John’s church also authorized Baptist chaplains to gain soldiers to be apart of the new and growing militia. I 100% recommend St. John’s Church to anyone that wants to be informed of richmonds intriguing history!

War Memorial

The Virginia War Memorial was established to recognize the troops returning from World War Two who gave their lives to protect freedom for the country.  It was approved by the General assembly in 1950; however, the memorial was not completed before the Korean War broke out.  The designs were changed to honor these men too, and it was finished in 1955 and dedicated on February 29, 1956.

After the Vietnam War, the regard for the United States Military was very low, the memorial fell into disrepair during this period, and wasn’t renovated until the 1990’s.  The Virginia War Memorial was then cleaned up, and the names of all who had fallen during the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.

Today it is located on 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond, Virginia.  Fundraising over the past few years has allowed for the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center to be constructed to house the many educational programs and ceremonies held at the Virginia War Memorial.

When we visited the memorial, we didn’t have much time to spend there, because of an upcoming event.  We were still able to go inside and see all the names of the men and women from all parts of Virginia who gave their lives fighting for our country. It is an impressive structure, and it does a remarkable job of recognizing how a country may win a war, but is fought by brave men and women, who dedicate themselves to a greater cause.

Hollywood Cemetery

       Hollywood Cemetery is perhaps the best view of the gorgeous James River and the Richmond skyline.  Nothing beats walking around Hollywood Cemetery on a beautiful spring day with your dog and your friends.  

     Hollywood Cemetery was designed in 1847 in an usual style.  They wanted to escape the grid-like shape of most cemeteries and make it seemed more natural and flowing.  The winding paths and rolling hills make touring a great way to exercise. 

  

   At Hollywood Cemetery you can spot the graves of aristocrats, plantation owners, young children and even a few presidents of the United States.  There are a lot of extremely influential citizens buried at this cemetery.  James Monroe the fifth President, John Tyler the tenth President, the famous Richmond family - The Valentines, and Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy.  

   Walking the Hollywood Cemetery is so enjoyable and my group had an excellent time together.  To walk around is free and you can stay for as long as you like!  While walking we saw runners, joggers, bikers and dog walkers.  Such a great and cheap activity to do in Richmond, while getting your fill of the rich history this city has to offer.  

Tarrant's Café

       Tarrant's Café, (located on 1 West Broad Street, Richmond VA, 23220) is a really cool off-the-wall restaurant!  Not only do they serve delicious food, but they are located in a historical richmond building!  The building was built in the 1800's and survived the great fire of 1865, which brought business in Richmond down.  Then the building was turned into a pharmacy owned by Harrison and Pierce.  Then by 1905, William G. Tarrant's took over the building for his pharmacy practice, appropriately named Tarrant's.   

       Soon after William Tarrant's death in 1961, his son Bill continued the pharmacy legacy.  However today it is now one of the coolest places to dine in the city of Richmond.  Also an attraction is the beautiful November Theatre, where all of Richmond's finest professional musicals and plays are held.  I know personally many actors who make their living as an actor performing in that theatre, and bartend/wait tables and Tarrant's right across the street.  For many theatre goers in Richmond, a dinner at Tarrant's is simply tradition preluding their night at the theatre.  

         Not only is the location great, but their food is outstanding.  They are really high quality and classy.  Everything I've ordered from Tarrant's has been amazing.  Inside you get a really cool atmosphere since they kept a lot of the exposed brick and all the original pharmacy bar with old fashion stools.  You really feel the presence of the old pharmacy. It is a little pricey, so this is just a special treat kind of place.  Yet certainly a memorable experience. 

Tarrant's Café is THE place to dine in Richmond! 

The Holocaust Museum

The Virginia Holocaust Museum was established in 1997 in Richmond.  Its goal was to create a historically accurate portrayal of the Holocaust. It is located on 2000 E Cary Street, Richmond VA 23223.  One of the founding members of this museum was an actual Holocaust survivor, Jay Ipson. The original museum was only five rooms in what was the former Brown Education Building.  In 2003 it was relocated to Shockoe Bottom, right by the walls in an old tobacco warehouse.

The site is historic because it is in the old building of the American Tobacco Company. Tobacco has played a big role in the history of Virginia, it was the crop which kept settlers in the area.was the product that built the colony of Virginia.  The American Tobacco Company was important in history, because it was one of the original twelve members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896.

The Virginia Holocaust Museum building is not the only historic feature of this site, the contents of the Holocaust Museum have many stories to tell.  The building is full of actual artifacts from the Holocaust. The details packed into this museum are truly amazing, nothing is left out; from Jewish life in Germany, to the railroad car out front.  This museum has actual history inside, as well as the building being historic.

Our Group visited the Holocaust Museum on February 23, 2014.  It was a truly fascinating experience.  The museum does all it can to inform people of what a tragedy the Holocaust was.  It didn’t only do that, but it showed what actually happened, it was better than reading textbooks, it was a firsthand experience.  

The only problem with this museum, is the topic.  It is a fantastic museum and is well curated.  The Holocaust was one of the biggest tragedies of the twentieth century, and the museum is hard to take in.  While touring this museum we all became very quiet and kind of depressed. However even though it's a heavy subject matter, it is worth the visit. The Virginia Holocaust Museum is definitely one of the top ten historic places to check out in Richmond, Virginia, because of its quality and experience.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum

 

Edgar Allan Poe’s first house in Richmond, it opened as a museum in 1922. Roaming around the house you explore the different sceneries he’s seen and what life he lived within his house.  The museum houses his manuscripts, letters and other personal items 

that he worked on in Richmond. This historical building is located in downtown Richmond. The house is very small and old, but is very artistic when looked at and knowing how long it’s stood. The museum is a sight to see and something to be visited while traveling or just in town. 

My experience there was one of wonder and in awe. To me, the building was beautiful, and held an artistic sense to it that I appreciate. I found it also amazing how long its stood in its place and looks almost new, not comparing to the buildings her houses we have now. Visiting this museum is like going back in time to see one of the most famous writers in his work area. To be able to stand and see where Poe has sat, wrote, and ate.

No one would be disappointed when visiting the museum, holding onto history and great literature just within the house. Rumor also has it that it’s haunted, with noises and people being tapped on the shoulder. It’s free to get in and is fun for all ages and educational too, just in case some parents want their children to have a learning experience.

Open 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Sunday which is open 11 am to 5 pm. 

You won’t regret visiting this sightful museum while on your travels!