Ted and Penny spent much of their time in Richmond here at the Library of Virginia. The genealogy section was fabulous. Many documents that are unavailable anywhere else may be easily seen here. Both Ted and Penny made a great deal of progress in their hunt for hidden ancestors. Penny got to read the original will of one of her 8th great grandfathers,who died in 1670. It even had the original wax seal.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the beautiful Virginia State Capitol is only a few blocks away.
This is the Confederate White House, home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Sadly, his son Joseph died at five years of age due to injuries suffered in a fall from a second story window here. This stately home has a gorgeous garden, but is surrounded by taller buildings of a multi-block hospital.
The Tredegar iron works was one of the companies that made Richmond an industrial powerhouse prior to the Civil War. This was the pattern building of the old iron works, now converted into a visitor center for the Richmond National Battlefield.
Using powerful water turbines such as this one,
and conventional water wheels like this, the company used the energy from the many creeks flowing into the James River in this area. to make steel and iron items such as railroad rails. steel sheeting, and many other products prior to the war.
Despite suffering serious damage from an 1863 fire that devastated the Crenshaw Woolen Mills next door, the iron works was quickly reconstructed and continued to supply iron and steel goods for the Confederacy, producing 40 percent of the heavy ordinance, and a great deal of steel plating for Confederate ironclads. The CSS Virginia, better known a the USS Merrimac was covered with iron sheeting produced here. The charred wooden window frame in this remaining wall attests to the fire. After the conclusion of the war, the iron works continued to run for many more years. It produced ordinance and heavy ammunition during WWI and WWII.
This statue, commemorating Abraham Lincoln's April 4, 1865 visit to Richmond with is son Tad was placed in 2003 amidst considerable controversy. Many felt that this was a monument to the bloodthirsty tyrant who had been bent on destroying the South.
If you're looking for a little shopping, something to eat or drink, or a good party, then Carytown, not far from downtown, is the place for you. It reminded us a great deal of Hawthorne Street in Portland.
We chose to eat in the highly rated Opa, Opa Greek Restaurant. Not much to look at, but the food was delicious. Perhaps the best tzatziki and feta we had ever eaten. The feta was made from sheep milk, not goat. The owner told us that Costco carries it. Another memorable meal.
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