I visited the eastern front of the Petersburg National Battlefield last month while traveling back…read morefrom a Toyota dealership in the area. The battlefield has several sites in the Petersburg Virginia area including a western front, union and confederate forces encampment sites, remains of makeshift forts, storage depots and landing sites. The battlefield as a whole encompasses many miles in a circular pattern and you can either do a guided or self guided tour. It is well marked and mapped. The site as a whole was the longest siege of the American Civil War. Union forces began the siege in 1864 and it lasted nine months with many battles that resulted in victories for both sides. Petersburg VA at the time was a major hub for Robert E Lee's army with extensive rail lines and supply depots. It was also pivotal in the defense of Richmond which was the Confederate capital during the war. The eastern front battlefield is well preserved and also serves as a park which is managed by the National Park Service. There are walking and hiking trails as well as bike lanes. There is parking at each of the eight sites on the eastern front. Each site is well maintained and marked and it is quite educational. You could spend a few hours here exploring. Just a note, bring bug spray with tick repellent. Several of the sites I had to swipe a tick off my legs. It was a bit wet and it was very humid so the bugs were out in force. Overall it was a great experience. On the next visit I'll check out the western front which is roughly eight miles away on the other side of town.

Often overlooked but a hidden gem national park…read more Our national parks and battlefields are some treasured areas. This park is often in the shadow of others, but had long and bloody trench warfare. The history and earthworks are simply incredible! Definitely read about it and look up closure times before coming. (8pm during the summer and sunset/sunrise throughout the year) 33-odd miles of trails, good to recreate and the tour road is perfect for cycling/running.

Got there within their posted hours. Church locked, visitor center ghostly. Driving the cemetery…read morewas nice but a 35 mile trip each way to see the church was wasted.

We had a great tour of the church and the churchyard portion of the cemetery. It is filled with…read morehistory pre-revolution through the Civil War. The 15 Tiffany windows are stunning and alone are worthy of a visit.

"Walk a mile in their shoes......"…read more I decided to peer through the eyes of history and visit the Tuckahoe Plantation. I felt all the feels driving up the loooong drive to the plantation. I wondered how many slaves dreamed about what was on the "other side" of that long field. Many visitors pack in to see where Thomas Jefferson spent his childhood BUT I drove to see how the ancestors spent theirs (as this plantation tells the enslaved stories, as well). As I walked the curving path to see the schoolhouse, kitchen, enslaved quarters....I felt something (not the haunting that is said to be present) - i wondered about long sweltering summers in the field. I didn't need to peer inside the main house. I thought the archivists did a good job assembling historical facts about Thomas Jefferson and the enslaved. I didn't take the guided tour but I enjoyed what was open to see (people reside there - in both the main house and cabins - so not much to see).

Lovely spot to take a walk in their immaculate garden! This plantation, once the home of Thomas…read moreJefferson, is located off River Road, down a long, dirt driveway. You will pass a farm with chickens and gorgeous fields as you make you way to the stately Georgian styled home at the end of the road. There's a parking lot with an honor system box, $5 donation for the self- guided walking tour of the grounds. A map Is provided, and there are QR codes throughout this beautiful acreage. Should you want a guided tour of the main house and outbuildings, there are charges ranging from $5-$20, discounts for children, seniors and military. Call for reservations to be sure they are not hosting a private event. We were only interested in being outdoors! The plantation is open from 9-5 daily. This place is the perfect location for some fresh air therapy! We were enthralled by the various garden areas, the statuary, the arched groves, the arbors, the colonial design, and most of all, the spring flowers and trees in full bloom! We meandered through the rows of tulips, daffodils, poppies, hyacinths, snowdrops, candytuft, bluebells, and other colorful flowers, shrubs, bushes and plants. This not so secret garden was full of birds, with bird houses placed strategically at various spots. Flowering vines and trees were trained to make gorgeous arches. The maintenance of this amazing, historic estate is obviously painstakingly meticulous. We were completely enthralled with its beauty and understated grandeur. They allow photo shoots for exorbitant fees and by appointment only. You might want to try Maymont, etc. instead.

Went on the Historic African American Tour of Petersburg for our class reunion. The tour was very…read moreinformative.

From the owner: Historic Petersburg Foundation is a non profit preservation organization in Petersburg, Virginia…read morewith the mission to lead the preservation and restoration of Petersburg, Virginia's historic architecture, and neighborhoods and to tell their story. We own and market historic properties for sale that need to be restored. One of our popular fundraisers each December is the annual Christmas Homes Tour of beautifully restored historic homes decorated for the holidays. We hold programs on Petersburg's history and architecture. Peter Jones Trading Station - "Where Commerce Began" tourist attraction. We encourage tourism to Petersburg and work to save the 18th and 19th century architecture in Petersburg, Virginia.

I was visiting the city of Richmond during Black History Month and because of the historical and…read morecultural significance of Richmond during the slave trade - I wanted to make sure I saw and did as much as I could to explore this part of its history. The Emancipation and Freedom Monument is a beautiful bronze statue that was commissioned in 2021. The very nature of the topic that the statue represents, made it extremely powerful to see in person. I would highly recommend visiting the monument, as it is very moving, inspiring and has information on some of the KEY Virginians that fought against slavery and equality.

All I can say is wow! I wish I could give this sculpture 5 more stars. It is as amazing as it is…read morepowerful. It is the center piece of Brown's Island. The piece, which is the work of Thomas Jay Warren of Oregon, was dedicated in 2021. It depicts two 12-foot statues. The first statue is of a shirtless male slave that has freed himself from the shackles around his wrist. The statue is very detailed and almost looks real. You can even see the whip marks on his back and his abs. The other stature that makes up this monument is of a woman that is cuddling a baby in her left hand and holding up what I assume are her freedom papers. The paper has the date January 1, 1863, which happens to be the date that Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. On the back of the base you will find the word "FREEDOM". On the other sides of the base you will find the names, images, and brief biographical information of ten African American Virginians whose lives were dedicated to Emancipation and freedom. one side displays five individuals from the period before Emancipation through 1865 (Mary Bowser, William Harvey Carney, Gabriel, Dred Scott, and Nat Turner). The opposite side has five people that continued to work for freedom from 1865 to 1970 (Rosa Dixon Bowser, John Mercer Langston, John Mitchell Jr., Lucy F. Simms, Wyatt Tee Walker). This is one of the best sculptures that I have ever seen and is so impactful. The detail on the sculptures is amazing. The choice of having this monument in Virginia is fitting, given that the state was key in the slave trade. If you could only see one sculpture not only in Virginia, but in the United States, it should be this was. Warren "dropped the mic" on this one. It would be tough for any sculpture to live up to the standard set by this one.

Another Henrico County owned gem! Reminiscent of days past along the historical…read moreMountain Road corridor! Frequently, visitors to the area pull up to the gas pumps looking for gasoline!

Cute little gas station from circa 1925. Very nicely maintained. Of course, it is no longer…read moreoperating. You can park in the little lot and get out for a look at the old pumps. Worth a stop for a taste of history. There is an interpretative sign in front. Nice park to picnic at across the street.