Historic Richmond Inns

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Did you know that there are seven national cemeteries in the greater Richmond area, all constructed around 1866 to accommodate the mass casualties of the Civil War? Visitors are flocking to the region to participate in the commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the war, and national cemeteries tell the story of the human toll that conflict brings. The seven Richmond national cemeteries, all open for public visitation, are:

Richmond National Cemetery, Richmond

There are 5700 unknown Union soldiers interred at Richmond National Cemetery.  Many were moved from other cemeteries when Richmond National was established in 1866, and other came directly from local battlefields and Confederate prisons.

Fort Harrison National Cemetery, Richmond

Final resting place of 1500 veterans, most of whom were killed at the Battle of Market Heights in May of 1864; among the 1500 are 600 unknown Union soldiers, 4 are Confederate soldiers and many of the rest are African American soldiers.

Glendale National Cemetery, Richmond

Built on the site of the “Battle of Frayser’s Farm” a.k.a. the Battle of Glendale, the cemetery was a reinterment site for Union soldiers who died in battles local to the Henrico location. The Battle against Union troops retreating to the James River was lost by the Confederacy. More than 1000 unknown soldiers are buried in Glendale National Cemetery.

Seven Pines National Cemetery, Sandston

Established in 1866, it was the reinterment site for Union soldiers after the Battle of Fair Oaks Station; 1300 are buried here and only 150 were identified.

Cold Harbor National Cemetery, Mechanicsville

The cemetery is built near the site of the Battle of Cold Harbor, named after a local tavern. The Confederate victory here resulted in 12,000 Union soldier deaths, and the loss of 4,000 Confederates. The cemetery is part of the Cold Harbor Battlefield and nearby Richmond National Battlefield Park.

City Point National Cemetery, Hopewell

Hopewell sits at the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers and was strategically critical to the Union campaign to take Petersburg, then the Confederate capital of Richmond. The area was a hub for transportation and supplies, and also home of many of the hospitals that served the severely wounded soldiers from the areas bloodiest battles. Over 6800 soldiers are interred at City Point, of who most were veterans of the Civil War. Approximately 120 Confederate soldiers are buried in the cemetery’s western section.

Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Petersburg

Final resting place of 6,188 Union soldiers, Poplar Grove National Cemetery is part of the Petersburg National Battlefield. The fall of Petersburg, and subsequently Richmond, was among the last of the Civil War. The Union won and secured Lee’s surrender by surrounding Petersburg, staying put for ten months, then completely cutting supply lines between the region and Richmond. One week after Petersburg fell, Lee surrendered in Appomattox, Virginia.

Casualties during the Civil War were so numerous that Richmond alone was forced to open seven central cemeteries to accommodate tens of thousands of bodies in a period of just one year. Every life lost was a story that deserves to be told. The seven national cemeteries of Richmond are permanent memorials to the soldiers on both sides of the front lines of one of the most harrowing domestic conflicts our nation ever suffered.

If you are a Civil War enthusiast, a lover of history, or simply a traveler of the great cities of the world, Richmond, Virginia should be a must-see on your list. Plan your trip now, while the Civil War gives such context to our shared pasts. Make reservations at your favorite Historic Richmond Inn today.

The Historic Richmond Inns

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Men in kilts with pitchforks and bagpipes – you’ve either stumbled upon an angry mob, or purchased a ticket to the Celtic event of the year: The Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival.

This is the festival’s 18^th year (it was formerly known as the Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival), and it promises to be one of the best. Entertainment for all ages, spirited competitions and delicious food will flow freely at The Meadow on Saturday, October 29, from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and on Sunday, October 30, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

A Celtic Market offers “Holiday Shopping with Celtic Flair”, featuring dozens of vendors. Witness Harp, Piping & Drumming, Highland Dance, and Scottish & Irish Fiddling competitions; or catch the revelry at the Heavy Athletics competition. Watch “large men” throw 16 and 28-pound Braemar Stones, pitchforks and 18-foot-long Cabers (Gaelic for “trees”). The Caber Toss is the signature event of the Highland Games.

Two bands will headline at the event: “Albannach” and the Celtic rock band “Barleyjuice”. Roving entertainers will captivate crowds throughout the weekend.

In addition to the main events, children in costume can trick-or-treat at the festival. There will be an evening bonfire with pipe music and costume judging for children under 18 on Saturday. A pumpkin carving competition, rugby match with commentary and Parade of Dogs (a costumed contest!) round out Saturday’s festivities.

Tickets to the Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival are available now online. Advance purchase one day tickets are $14 and full weekend passes are $27. Dogs may attend but must purchase a $5 ticket, provide proof of rabies vaccination and present with a non-retractable leash. Ticket prices during the event are slightly higher.

If you are a lover of all things Celtic, you must make arrangements to attend the Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival. Request a reservation now at one of the fine Historic Richmond Inns and plan for an exciting and delightful Celtic weekend!

The 150^th anniversary of the Civil War shines a spotlight a city that has weathered hundreds of years of tumultuous history. One quarter of all Civil War battles happened within a 75-mile radius of Richmond which served as the Confederate capital. The city’s Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place of Confederate president, Jefferson Davis. A walking trail with historic markers now winds its way through the east end of Richmond, commemorating the experience of African Americans in the south’s largest slave market. Though the layers of history here are complicated, Richmond has played a significant role in our collective national heritage.

The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar tells the story of the Civil War through the eyes of the three vital parties: the Unionists, the Confederates and African Americans.  Exhibits narrate the war experience from each perspective, and commentary from preeminent scholars helps to examine the intricate relationships, the causes of the war and its legacies.

The Center is built on the historic site of Tredegar Ironworks, which was founded in 1836 and ultimately made armor for the CSS Virginia during Civil War, as well as munitions for the U.S. Army and Navy during the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War.  The buildings and site have served a variety of purposes since their purchase by Ethyl Corporation in 1957. The American Civil War Center opened in October, 2006.

Adult admission to the Center is $8, $6 for seniors and $4 for children ages 6 – 17. It is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. You can follow the Center on Facebook to find out the latest happenings. Its location of the is perfect as the starting place of a long stroll down Canal Walk and is in close proximity to several battlefields. It’s more than any traveler can absorb in one day, so make a reservation at an Historic Richmond Inn and plan your stay today!

While the thought of trekking through masses of breathtaking fall foliage is wholesome and natural, not everyone visits Richmond seeking such thrills – in fact, a great many come seeking supernatural chills. For the intrepid spook-seeker, Central Virginia provides a perfect destination for Halloween fun!

There are plenty of happy haunts in Richmond and the surrounding region in October. Here are a few that you shouldn’t miss!

Halloween Haunt at King’s Dominion (Doswell) and Howl-o-Scream at Busch Gardens (Williamsburg): a frightening experience awaits you at the region’s two most popular amusement parks. Costumed characters, elaborate decorations, themed shows and always-terrifying rides await. Check websites for hours of operation and various rates of admission.

Visit “Poe’s Pumpkin Patch” at the Edgar Allen Poe museum on October 29, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Or, attend the October “Unhappy Hour – The Telltale Heart” on October 27.

Capital Creepers “Eerie Nights” Ghost Tours of Richmond: Running September 16 to October 29, Eerie Nights tours run through historic Shockoe Bottom.  Your “Ghoul Guide”, a member of the walking dead, will provide a spooky narrative of each stop including legends and accounts of paranormal activity. Families are welcome, but the tours are for mature audiences, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $13.

Love a good haunted house? Stop by the Blood Lake Haunted House. A name as scary as “Blood Lake” needs no further introduction! Or, try the Creepy Hollow Screams Park with “live” actors, animatronics, illusions and even hayrides.

Haunts of Richmond Ghost Tours: September 15 – November 3; Four freaky itineraries include “Shadows of Shockoe”, “Haunted Capitol Hill”, “Church Hill Chillers” and “Spirits and Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl”. Want to encounter the Ghost of Mr. Poe? Dying to find out who haunts various Civil War landmarks? Join your Ghost Host for a walking (and even a “crawling”) tour of Richmond’s scariest spots. Advance-purchase tickets are $13/adult and $10/child. Higher price at the door.

Things that Go Bump in the Night (Henricus): Go way back in time to historical Henricus and hear the legends that settlers would have shared as they settled a strange new world. 400 years of ghost stories told by period interpreters will be sure to keep you wide awake all night.

Goblins and Gourds at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: There is family-friendly fun on tap at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Saturday, October 23 from 1 PM – 4 PM in the Children’s Garden. Pumpkin carving demonstrations, pumpkin painting and storytelling will keep little goblins happy for hours. The event is just one of many “October Oddities” hosted by the Garden.

Where will you spend Halloween night? Rely on your favorite Historic Richmond Inn to provide you with the comfort you’ll crave after a frightening night on the town!

The Historic Richmond Inns

The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was chartered by court decree in 1984. The property was originally purchased by Lewis Ginter in 1884, where he built the “Lakeside Wheel Club” for Richmond bicyclists. After Ginter’s 1897 death, his niece, Grace Arents, bought the abandoned club, remodeled and founded a convalescent home for sick children.

Eventually, the need for the convalescent home ceased, and Arents moved into the building, renaming it “Bloemendaal”, which is Dutch for “Valley of the Flowers.” Among her final wishes, Arents arranged for the City of Richmond to ultimately take possession of the property and to establish a botanical garden honoring her uncle. After several years and some litigation, the Garden Club of Virginia was finally able to honor Arents’ wishes, and in 1989 restored the Grace Arents Garden as the first site in the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Today, the mission of the garden is to provide “education to the community about the plant world, promote the best in horticulture and landscape design, and work toward the goal of being a leader in botanical and applied horticultural research”.  More than a dozen themed gardens now delight guests on a property of 50+ acres. The classical domed Conservatory is a stunning tribute to the people and resources that make the facility possible.

The gardens are open year-round, except on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 24 and December 25. Visitors can learn about the rich history of the site at the Visitor’s Center, browse the Garden Shop, or enjoy a refreshing break at the café or tea house. Seminars and lectures are scheduled throughout the year, along with special events including live performances and festivals. The Garden’s website is regularly updated with scheduled events.

One of the most anticipated events each year is the Dominion GardenFest of Lights, scheduled to run from November 25, 2011 through January 9, 2012. The gardens will be illuminated by 700,000 lights, and children can meet both Santa and the Butterfly Fairy on select dates. A huge fire pit is created in the Children’s Garden, weather-permitting, featuring S’Mores and hot chocolate to warm guests inside and out. Throughout the holiday season, live performers and carolers fill the gardens with joyful noise. While many of the Historic Richmond  Inns book over a year in advance for the holiday period, you can still find available dates at some properties, so make your travel plans today!

The Historic Richmond Inns

Resources:

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens fact sheet and website