10 Places to Visit in Historic Richmond, Virginia - Trip Canvas
Editor Pick
10 Places to Visit in Historic Richmond, Virginia
Published: June 13, 2023
Written byMichelle Palmer
Richmond is the capital of Virginia and offers lots of fun things to do, including the Richmond Beer Trail (get the beer trail map here). There are 40 craft breweries, many in downtown Richmond. However, it's the historic sites that are must-see stops for history buffs. Richmond was one of the sites where delegates met to discuss American independence from England. Less than a century later, Richmond became the capital of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-1865), a tragic and contentious period. Undeniably, Richmond has held a prominent role in U.S. history.
Historic Richmond sites include St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech; the John Marshall House, home of one the shapers of the Supreme Court; Virginia's Executive Mansion and Capitol; the Poe Museum about Edgar Allan Poe who lived part of his life in Richmond; the American Civil War Museum; Hollywood Cemetery where figures of the Confederacy were buried; the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, home of a prominent African American woman who achieved great career success despite living in the Jim Crow-era South; Agecroft Hall and Gardens, a 16th-century house that a wealthy businessman had shipped from England in the 1920s.
American Revolutionary War and Forming the Nation
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 1 St. John’s Church
2401 E. Broad St.
St. John’s Church was the site of the Second Virginia Convention, a 1775 meeting attended by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and many notable Virginians of the time. The March meeting was part of the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War that started in April of the same year. Patrick Henry stood before the delegates to the convention and gave his “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death” speech calling for American independence from England.
Guided tours of the National Historic Landmark are offered daily. Tickets can be purchased online or in person; purchasing ahead of time ensures entry. Also, check ahead for reenactment days for an immersive experience. Guests may take self-guided tours of the church cemetery. Established in 1741 for church members, it became Richmond's first white-only public cemetery in 1799; because it was several decades prior to the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), enslaved people were not permitted to be buried there. Cemetery maps are available in the visitor center.
Note: If you cannot use stairs, you can enter the site using the elevator on 24th Street near East Broad Street. Once on the site, brick paths lead to the church. For any questions regarding accessibility or accommodations contact the visitor center at (804) 648-5015.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 2 John Marshall House
818 E. Marshall St.
John Marshall served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War, worked as a lawyer, entered politics and became one of the first Supreme Court justices, serving from 1801 until his death in 1835. He is credited by many historians as the “Great Chief Justice” because of his influence on America's early judicial system.
John Marshall and his wife Polly had the construction of their home in the Court End neighborhood begin in 1788. It was completed in 1790. The exterior of the two-story house is a simple brick façade in the Federal style. The house contains many pieces that belonged to the Marshalls, including a sizeable collection of furniture made in the Richmond area. Today, Virginia Preservation owns and operates the John Marshall House, a National Historic Landmark. Guides will tell you about the house, stories of Marshall's life and his significant accomplishments during 45-minute tours. You'll also learn about Polly Marshall, their family and the enslaved people who worked at the house.
Note: There are stairs at the gate entrance and the front door, making the house inaccessible to wheelchair users and many people who use mobility equipment. Call ahead to see if suitable accommodations are possible; phone (804) 648-7998.
Wikimedia Commons / Leonard Woody / CC BY-SA 3.0
No. 3 Virginia’s Executive Mansion and Capitol
Capitol Sq.
Virginia’s Executive Mansion is the oldest, continuously operated governor’s residence in the U.S. Visitors can take a free 30-minute tour of the interior of this Federal-style mansion, learn about some of its history and view art created by Virginian artists; tours do not include information on the enslaved people who built and worked at the mansion.
Arrive at the gate before the tour time (click here for the tour schedule) and tell the Capitol Police Officer that you are there for the tour. Note: The mansion is accessible, but if you are on a tour that visits the grounds, like those offered during Richmond's Garden Week, some areas may be difficult to navigate or not accessible based on your mobility.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 4 Virginia Capitol
1000 Bank St.
Thomas Jefferson designed the Virginia Capitol while working as ambassador to France. The federal-style building is made of stucco-covered brick, and it set the standard for many of the government capitol buildings around the country. Construction was completed in 1798, and it served as the Capitol for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Today it is the oldest state capitol building in the U.S.
Visitors may tour the building solo or with a guide; both options are free. Once inside, head to the George Washington statue on the second floor, where you'll find guides and brochures. Guided tours are about one hour and allow you to see a few locations not permitted on self-guided tours, such as the current Senate and House Chambers. In the Virginia Capitol, you can see a life-sized statue of George Washington, portraits of past Virginia governors, and the old House and Senate chambers.
Note: Due to construction, the visitor center is scheduled to be closed through 2023. During this time, visitors should enter through the west entrance. If you need accommodations for a physical disability, phone (804) 389-5338 to arrange drop off, and call (804) 698-1788 to ask about accessibility or arrange accommodations.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 5 Poe Museum
1914 E. Main St.
The Poe Museum in the Old Stone House is a must-see for lovers of literature. While the museum is small, it houses artifacts from Edgar Allan Poe's childhood and adulthood, including clothing, first editions of his works and personal items. The museum covers his life and legacy — starting with his tragic childhood. Poe was born in 1809. Shortly after, his father abandoned the family, and his mother died in 1811 from tuberculosis. He was taken in by the Allan family in Richmond. He joined the army, worked for a literary magazine and gained fame for writing “The Raven.”
Guided tours are typically offered at 11 a.m. daily; phone (804) 648-5523 the morning of your visit to confirm availability. Self-guided audio tours are always an option.
Note: The museum is accessible, but because it is a historic building, staff members recommend calling ahead if you have any questions or accommodation requests. If visiting with a service animal, staff ask that you call ahead to ensure the comfort of the museum’s two resident cats.
Civil War
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 6 American Civil War Museum
180 Tredegar St.
The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar seeks to teach visitors about the Civil War and Reconstruction (1865-1877) through stories, visual representations and artifacts. The main exhibit, “A People’s Contest: Struggles for Nation and Freedom in Civil War America,” is set up chronologically, highlighting key battles, effects on civilians, both Union and Confederate, and stories of enslaved people.
The museum is located in downtown Richmond at the James River on the site of the historic Tredegar Iron Works that manufactured over half of the cannons used by the Confederacy during the Civil War. Among the items on display are colorized photographs, uniforms and other articles of clothing, and weapons. It takes about two hours to experience the whole museum.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 7 Hollywood Cemetery
412 S. Cherry St.
The Hollywood Cemetery was established in 1847 and is still in operation today. Here you’ll find President James Monroe's Tomb and several controversial figures, including Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, and President John Tyler, 10th president of the U.S. who claimed allegiance to the Confederacy. You also will find the burial sites of Virginia governors and Confederate figures.
At the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, you can take a free guided, ranger-led tour of her former residence and learn about her life and activism. Walker was born in 1864 in Richmond to formerly enslaved parents. As a teenager, she joined the Independent Order of St. Luke, a fraternal organization that helped Black people who fell ill or needed assistance in old age. To help her community and the organization, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903, the first bank for Black Americans, and she became the first Black woman to be president of a bank.
In 1904, she and her husband bought the Italianate row house at 110 1/2 East Leigh Street in Jackson Ward — once known as the “Harlem of the South” and now a National Historic District. Walker spent her life working with organizations, including the National Association of Colored Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Negro Business League, advocating for the rights of Black women in the Jim Crow era, pre-women's suffrage South.
Tours are 45 minutes to 1 hour and include a 20-minute film about Walker’s life. The home contains several original pieces and was in the Walker family until it was converted into a museum. Today it is operated by the National Park Service (NPS). Tours are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis; check the NPS website for tour times. Note: The courtyard and first floor of the home are wheelchair accessible, but the second floor is not. If unable to access the second floor, you can request to view a photo book of the home at the visitor center’s front desk.
If you wish to see more of the Jackson Ward neighborhood while visiting the Maggie L. Walker Historic Site, you can access a free self-guided tour from the NPS app.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 9 Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
122 W. Leigh St.
While in the Jackson Ward neighborhood, stop at the Black History Museum in the former Leigh Street Armory. The museum was founded in 1981 and tells the stories of Black and African American Virginians. The museum uses interactive elements and technology to engage both children and adults. Permanent exhibits on the first floor cover a range of topics from Emancipation and Reconstruction, to Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibits display information about the contributions made by Black Americans. The second floor features temporary exhibits, including works from local artists, and traveling exhibits. Note: The museum is accessible with a ramp that leads to the entrance and an elevator to the second floor.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
No. 10 Agecroft Hall and Gardens
4605 Sulgrave Rd.
Agecroft Hall and Gardens was built in Lancashire, England, probably in the 14th century, and underwent extensive renovations in the 16th century. In the 1920s, the house sat vacant, and coal-burning manufacturers replaced the once-beautiful grounds. The owners put the house and its contents up for auction. A wealthy businessman purchased it, had it dismantled, and shipped it to Richmond, where it was rebuilt — complete with original ornate wood façade and leaded glass windows.
Today, you can visit the home to see fine examples of Elizabethan and Jacobean furnishings, tapestries and art. The library is impressive and takes up almost an entire wing of the house. You also can visit the gardens to admire the beautiful greenery and tulips of seemingly every color in season as well as the views of the James River.
If visiting Richmond in June or July, catch a play on the back lawn during Richmond Shakes, the Shakespeare festival hosted by Agecroft Hall. Don’t forget to bring a chair or a blanket.
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Michelle Palmer is a development editor who has over 10 years of experience in the travel publishing industry. She loves telling the stories, histories and culture of places that inspire others to go and experience new destinations. When not traveling, she participates in circus arts, goes to live shows and is a “Murder, She Wrote” aficionado.
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