Category Archives: history

10th Annual Civil War & Emancipation Day This Saturday

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It’s that time of year when things start moving much faster and there about a million events on the weekend here in the R of the VA…

Here’s one just down the hill…

Tredegar hosts the 10th Annual Civil War & Emancipation Day this Saturday.

This free event allows participants to uncover the many stories of how the Civil War, Emancipation, and how their legacies shaped and continue to impact our community. In particular, this event commemorates the 150th anniversary of public education for all Virginians.

Here is the schedule of events:
-11 am: Cannon firing demonstration
-11:30 am: Storyteller, Jamar Jones (Quill Theater)
Historic Tredegar walking tour (American Civil War Museum)
-12 pm: Viriginia Union University choir
-12:30 pm: City Dance Theater
-1 pm: “Then and Now: Teaching the Civil War Era” panel discussion ( $ tickets required)
Panelists:
Lauranett Lee, Ph.D., University of Richmond
Donovan Livingston, educator and poet
Atif Qarni, Virginia Secretary of Education
Kathryn Shively, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
-1:30 pm: Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers
Brown’s Island walking tour with Ranger Mike Gorman
-2 pm: Dylan Prichett, storyteller
-3 pm: Canon firing demonstration
Food trucks and refreshments for purchase will be available onsite.

304 S. Laurel Street “Sweet Shop”

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Another throwback Thursday history photo, this one depicts a small storefront that used to exist at 304 S. Laurel. People recall that it used be where Harry Witt’s barbershop was located and some suggest that it was a polling place in earlier days. In the 1970’s, it was the “Sweet Shop” owned by Mr. Moore where, among other things, breakfast was available. Unfortunately, the building was torn down about a decade ago and a small house built in its place.

The photo may belong to the Rice collection at the Library of Virginia. Click here to go to the photo on their Flickr site.

There was also a story on this in the VCU Commonwealth Times way back in 1976. Click here for link to it.

Corner of Pine and China St., Grace Arents School, 1911

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For this ‘Throwback Thursday” history post, here’s a great 1911 photo of the corner of S. Pine and China streets. It shows the Grace Arents School, named after the activist, philanthropist and niece of Lewis Ginter who funded its construction. The school building is now used for award-winning Open High School. In fact in 2011, there was a centennial celebration.

Notice the streetcar tracks, which were visible until at least early 1960’s. Many of the tracks still exist today, lying under the modern streets.

This photo was posted in the Visual and Vintage Virginia FaceBook group.

Stories Of Service Event At The Virginia War Memorial

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From the Virginia War Memorial event page:

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Free Event
Patriotic Events
Did you know the United States Colored Troops (USCTs) played a decisive role in the Union’s victory in the Civil War? These soldiers became known for their bravery and honor in the face of adversity from all sides.

This February, as part of our celebration of Black History Month, the Virginia War Memorial has invited the Civil War Museum to co-host a special event that delves into some of the lesser known personal histories of the USCTs. Please join us on Tuesday, Feburary 26 at 6:30 p.m. and discover the history and accomplishments of Virginian USCTs. Guest speakers dig into the stories of the African-American soldiers who fought for the Union, and for their own freedom.

Robert Pleasants

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This is a copy of the constitution of the Virginia Abolition Society that is on microfiche at the Library of Virginia. Robert Pleasants, a prominent Quaker is shown as the president. His story is remarkable, and so is part of his legacy, Gravel Hill in Henrico.

The connection with Oregon Hill is that the mother of John Miller was freed from slavery by actions of Robert Pleasants. John Miller’s house in Oregon Hill is the only known surviving house in Richmond that was built, owned and occupied by free blacks before and during the Civil War. (Editor’s note: this is a correction from an earlier version of this post, which erroneously suggested that Robert Pleasants lived in Oregon Hill.)

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association successfully petitioned the Richmond City Council in 2003 to name Pleasants Park at 401 South Laurel Street for Robert Pleasants.

Of course, this is not to say that Oregon Hill has been a place of racial harmony either. There is an uglier past.

Foundry Series: Politics and the Supreme Court This Thursday

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The American Civil War Museum and the John Marshall Foundation are holding an event at Historic Tredegar this Thursday at 6 pm.

Even during the Civil War era, political parties attempted to influence the makeup of the Supreme Court to further political agendas. Uncover how Lincoln and the Republicans reshaped the Court to advance the twin causes of liberty and union.

Featuring:

Dr. Timothy Huebner, Rhodes College, Memphis
Moderated by Dr. Henry L. Chambers, University of Richmond School of Law

Cost:
$10; $8 for Members

Click here for tickets.

Lew’s Laundry

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This ‘Throwback Thursday’, check out this eBay sale for an early 1900`s Chinese hand laundry advertising blotter for W. Lew’s, which was on Beverley Street. The seller gave me permission to post this photograph:

And for those who wonder where Beverely Street was, it was between Cumberland and Albemarle. Here is a screenshot from the Baist Atlas of the City of Richmond, published in 1889, available from VCU Libraries’ Digital Collections.

RVA Archeology: Video On Penitentiary Burials

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RVA Archeology has released a new video on YouTube and elsewhere about burials at the old Virginia State Penitentiary, close to Oregon Hill.

The Virginia State Penitentiary was a notorious Richmond prison — where many prisoners died. This video introduces the human skeletons that were found there, and who they represent. If this story interests you, please take our survey about how we should proceed next to investigate and memorialize the site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RZMCHK8

A few quick notes-

Some of these burials are probably related to the building of the James River and Kanawha Canal, a history that the neighborhood has tried to bring forward.

If you are looking for a good history of the old prison, you may to want to pick up Dale Brumfield’s book Virginia State Penitentiary: A Notorious History, which was released just last year.

Of course, Oregon Hill’s history has often intertwined with the Penitentiary’s, but a lot of history, including these burials, is still coming to light.