Rumor has it that the owner of the building “hired” armed guards to keep the arsonists away. Thus, Tredegar is one of only a few buildings that survived the burning of Richmond.In 2006,The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar opened to the public. What makes the center especially interesting is that it doesn’t take sides as it interprets the events of 1861-1865 from the view of the Confederates, Union and African Americans.

This highly acclaimed center contains interactive theaters, plasma-screen maps, and artifacts about the Civil War, especially within the Richmond area.

Also on site is the Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitors Center from which you can begin your tour of the battlefields surrounding Richmond.

There is a parking fee on the premises, but is it not hard to find free parking near the center.

American Civil War Center / Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitors Center
470 Tredegar Street
Daily
9AM – 5PM
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day)

www.tredegar.org

www.nps.gov/RICH

Driving Tour

Once you leave Tredegar there are several options. For those who have seen all they care to, go have a drink, or lunch in the Bottom (Shockoe Bottom). For those who want to get a closer look at some, or all, of the battlefields and the medical museum, hop in your car.

Remember the entire tour is 80 miles! So, make sure you have a map, and even a GPS if your map skills aren’t up to the test. And also remember … just because they (National Park Service) say this can all be done in a day, it ain’t necessarily so.
With the addition of the Tredegar exhibits folded into the driving tour, which includes stopping at two additional visitors’ centers, it’s truly a matter of how much time you have to spend, or WANT to spend.

So, if you don’t want to wisk around the outskirts of Richmond while your passengers point at signs as you drive by 80 miles an hour to the next destination (as my uncle would have done), you might want to break this up into two days.

Hint: If you have already printed out the NPS map from their website you can actually start early as the battlefields are open from dawn to dusk.

TOUR INFO

Two smaller visitor centers, also with exhibits, are open at Chimborazo Medical Museum (in the city) and Cold Harbor Battlefield. There are also seasonal visitors’ centers at Fort Harrison Battlefield and the Glendale Cemetery Lodge.

Interpretive signs and audio stations are located at Chickahominy Bluff, Malvern Hill, Fort Harrison, and Drewry’s Bluff.

My comment earlier about pointing at passing signs while driving at Indianapolis Raceway speeds was aimed at slowing you down, and actually getting you out of the car.

Although not a Civil War authority, I am educated in Revolutionary War history and know the humbling experience of walking on the ground where previous generations have fought for what they believed in. And, I have walked on almost every battleground mentioned in this article as well.

Do yourself a favor, slow down and soak up a little history.

Visitor Centers
Chimborazo and Cold Harbor
Daily 9am to 5 pm.

Glendale and Fort Harrison
Daily June through August, 9am to 5pm.

www.nps.gov/archive/rich/

Although Robert E. Lee was not born in Richmond (actually at his family home of Stratford Hall near Lerty, Virginia), nor is he even buried there (that would be in a chapel at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia), his legacy lives on if not more than in a large statue on Monument Avenue.Ironically, Lee was not a proponent of the Virginia’s succession from the Union. The West Point Military Academy graduate reluctantly turned down President Lincoln’s offer to lead the northern troops due to his loyalty to his home state.

Also ironically, not much of anything is actually embossed with the name of Robert E. Lee in the city. But that doesn’t mean the Civil War and the Confederacy for which he led troops for Jefferson Davis is not alive and well in and around Richmond.

The National Park Service operates the Richmond National Battlefield Park. The name is actually a misnomer, as there are actually 11 battlefields, and 2 major museums, which make up the park system. (the Museum of the Confederacy in downtown Richmond is not part of the RNBP)

The thing to recognize from the start is that none of these sites are within walking distance of each other. PERIOD! If you wish to see more than one site, a car is necessary, along with a good map or GPS. A full day will be needed for the 80-mile driving tour.

www.nps.gov/RICH

The original visitor’s center within the city was located at Chimborazo Medical Center, up on the hill in the southeast section of the city. The main visitor’s center is now located at Tredegar Iron Works near the center of the city next to the James River.

Lee may not totally be the center of attention in Richmond, but he was still a true southern gentleman. So, take my advice, don’t ridicule him in front of the true locals, and whatever you do …

Whatever you do, DON’T CALL HIM “BOB”!

Next Week: Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works