Civil War Trip: Richmond

We spent two days in Richmond Virginia--April 4 and 6, 2023.  On April 4, our first stop was at the White House of the Confederacy.  It was the elegant Southern mansion from which Jefferson Davis governed the Confederacy.  Over the years, the neighboring medical school has squeezed away the formerly elegant gardens of the White House.

Still, the back garden of the White House is spacious, and it retains its uncanny resemblance to the White House in Washington, D.C.

The furnishings of the White House were a Victorian delight--silver, chandeliers, white lace curtains, red wallpaper and carpets, heavily carved dark furniture.

Washington was a hero to the Confederates, as he was to the Union.

 

Virginia is full of excellent museums about the Civil War.  The American Civil War Museum in Richmond is one of the best, with both special exhibits and a permanent exhibit that details, in intriguing, interactive detail, the history of the Civil War from Ft. Sumter to Appotamatox.

The American Civil War Museum includes the Tredegar Iron Works.  The Union had much more manufacturing capacity and natural resources than the Confederacy.  The Confederacy tried to catch up by creating manufacturing plants for guns and ammunition.  The Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond was one of the most prolific of those manufacturing centers.

After visiting the White House of the Confederacy and the American Civil War Museum, Dave thought he had completed a full day of sightseeing.  As he read a book in the car, I squeezed in a visit to the Virginia State Capitol.

Public statues are controversial in modern America.  Confederate heroes are being removed.  Virginia has installed a sculpture park, around its capitol, of less controversial characters--Virginian women leaders.

Inside the Capitol, I checked out the life-size statue of George Washington fashioned by the famous French sculptor, Houdon.  Houdon came to America and personally measured George Washington to make sure his statue was correct in every detail.  When Lafayette visited the Virginia Capitol after the Revolutionary War, and after George Washington's death, he confirmed that Houdon's statue resembled George Washington exactly!

A statue of Houdon is encased in a niche in the Capitol rotunda.

The Capitol, including its rotunda, was designed by Thomas Jefferson.

I dashed into the Capitol 30 minutes before closing time, but was able to join a tour which included the two legislative chambers.  The first, smaller one, was the one where Virginia declared its independence from Great Britain.

The larger, current one, is where Virginia declared its succession from the United States.

On April 6, 2023, we attended the open house for the Richmond Virginia LDS temple.  Its architecture reminded me of a colonial American church, and the interior design was distinctive, as well.

As the Church designer wrote, “Interlocking diamond patterns and accents of the flowering dogwood – Virginia’s state tree and flower – will be found on the inside and outside of the temple. The landscaping design is inspired by historic Williamsburg and will help contribute to a reverent, peaceful atmosphere for all who come here.”

I have never before seen a red/white/blue decorative scheme in a temple, but I liked it.

We finished the day at the beautiful Gentner Botanical Gardens, with lakes, flowering cherry trees, and a greenhouse with exquisite orchids.

We had great meals on our trip, including in Richmond.  One night we had shrimp and grits at a great restaurant in a predominantly Black area, and we had one lunch at Stella's, an excellent Greek cafe in a trendy Anglo area of Richmond.  Each night, after the day's adventures, we returned to our time share condo in Williamsburg.