Category Archives: history

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.

Pine Street Baptist Church Is Selling 2019 Historic Oregon Hill Calendars

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Pine Street Baptist Church is selling 2019 Historic Oregon Hill Calendars. The calendar is composed of black and white photos from years gone by in the Oregon Hill community. The calendars are $15 and may be purchased at the church. Money raised will be used for Pine Street’s ongoing ministries. Call 644-0339 for more information. The calendars make a great Christmas gift.

Bowties At Benny’s

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Here’s a ‘Throwback Thursday’ for ya…The Bowties appearing at Benny’s…

From Throttle Magazine, May, 1985–

Keith MacPhee has left the Bowties, so that band is in the market for a bass player to join forces with Lloyd Huckstep, 800 and Earl Smith and Michael Pritchard. Together since November 1979, the Bowties are one of Richmond’s most enduring groups.