Richmond visit.

[major bill]

I have never been to Richmond and my society, the Company of Military Historians, will hold its annual convention in Richmond Virginia this spring. We will probably take a field trip to see some historic sites, but I was thinking of going a day or two early to take in some sites on my own. The society's agenda is still being worked on and other than a boat tour of the James River I am not sure what we will see. What are the must see places in or near Richmond or Pettersburg? Is Bull Run Battlefield worth the drive? Being retired I could go 3 days early or even 4 days early if I wanted to. Does Richmond have any good used book store that have a large section of military history books.

We will stay at the downtown Omni Hotel in she "Shockoe Slip" and I know nothing about the hotel or area.

 

[theoldman]

Hello Major Bill:

I am certain you will be swamped with suggestions before long. You will immersed in so many possibilities it will be difficult I think to decide how to spend your time. My suggestion is go south to the Petersburg Battlefield and definitely plan some to time to visit Pamplin Historical Park to the SW of Petersburg. Pamplin covers primarily the final break through but is so well done on so many levels it is a 'must see' in my book.

I know you will enjoy your trip and I hope you post some details here.

 

[Drew]

This will be a trip to Nirvana. Clear your calendar and bring a camera.

 

[major bill]

I will have to research Pamplin Historical Park.
The National Museum of the Civil War, three other museums and a Civil War Store?I better put it on my list.

 

[ole]

I suspect a good many members in the area would be quite happy to show you around for a day.

 

[Vicksburger]

I have never been to Richmond and my society, the Company of Military Historians, will hold its annual convention in Richmond Virginia this spring. We will probably take a field trip to see some historic sites, but I was thinking of going a day or two early to take in some sites on my own. The society's agenda is still being worked on and other than a boat tour of the James River I am not sure what we will see. What are the must see places in or near Richmond or Pettersburg? Is Bull Run Battlefield worth the drive? Being retired I could go 3 days early or even 4 days early if I wanted to. Does Richmond have any good used book store that have a large section of military history books.

We will stay at the downtown Omni Hotel in she "Shockoe Slip" and I know nothing about the hotel or area.

Make sure you visit "THE DOOR" at 707 E. Franklin. Make sure you ask politely through the buzzer if you can go around back to take pictures. Then prepare to experience, yes, Nirvana.

 

[major bill]

Vicksburger, I hope this is not some how illegal. In Detroit we use to call things where you had to ring a buzzer like this, "Blind Pigs". When the police shut down a "Blind Pig" in Detroit in 1967 it started a major riot and many people died.

 

[lelliott19]

I have never been to Richmond and my society, the Company of Military Historians, will hold its annual convention in Richmond Virginia this spring. We will probably take a field trip to see some historic sites, but I was thinking of going a day or two early to take in some sites on my own. The society's agenda is still being worked on and other than a boat tour of the James River I am not sure what we will see. What are the must see places in or near Richmond or Pettersburg? Is Bull Run Battlefield worth the drive? Being retired I could go 3 days early or even 4 days early if I wanted to. Does Richmond have any good used book store that have a large section of military history books.

We will stay at the downtown Omni Hotel in she "Shockoe Slip" and I know nothing about the hotel or area.

You should definitely visit Hollywood Cemetery, Tredegar Ironworks, Chimborazo, and the Museum of the Confederacy. Be sure to eat at the Tobacco Factory, too. All in Richmond proper. Hope you have a wonderful visit!

 

[Rebforever]

1-1/2 hour drive to the Shenandoah Valley, Stonewall Jackson's Campaign, Lexington, Va., Battle of Cross Keys,
Battle of Port Republic, Chestnut Ridge Death of Ashby, Battle of Waynesboro.

 

[Jamieva]

Oh wow I could list things that would keep you busy for weeks as a 41 year native of Richmond.

The Omni is in a nice area. Across the street is the Tobacco company club (restaurant). That is a must eat.

You are very close to the Museum of the confederacy which also has the white house of the confederacy, and Tredegar is a little up the river from you..

I would also include Hollywood and Chimborazo.

Battlefields in a short drive. Try Petersburg (and Pamplin Park), Cold harbor, Malvern Hill, Drewry's Bluff. You can go to Grant's HQ in City Point (in Hopewell). All of these sites are within 30 minutes of your hotel.

You walk 2 blocks north from your hotel you will get a beautiful view of the state capial designed by Thomas Jefferson.

 

[major bill]

Than you for the answers. The society usually goes on 2-3 field trips over a three day period and the rest of the time we have seminars. We often have a coattail party at some location such we had one on the U.S.S. Constellation in Baltimore and the Visitor Center at Valley Forge set up a late night special display of American Revolution era weapons and equipment for us. so until the agenda is set, I never know what we are going to see or do. I can go a couple of days early and visit things on my own or with friends. The issue being I like to do some research on the things I plan to visit.

lellionl119 the Museum of the Confederacy has to be on my list and probably Tredegar Iron Works. Jamieva, I never though of Cold Harbor or Drewry's Bluff. I should take a couple of books on them to Florida this winter and read up on them. I probably owe at least a couple people a round of "red pop" or dinner and might have to avoid the Tobacco Company Club, perhaps I should just go ahead and use my credit card until it melts.

 

[BillO]

Sergeant Major Major Bill ( sorry I just couldn't resist ) why don't you plan on spending a few days after instead of before? If the Society is going to take a few trips around during the convention you won't be seeing the same sites twice and with them driving you around you might get a better feel of where things are. I have lived in the area all my life and if there is anything specific you might like feel free to PM me.

 

[major bill]

Billo, I might stay over or go early. If I opt for Bull Run I could stay overnight there on my dive from Michigan and get to Richmond by early afternoon. The society usually does a special pre convention activity the afternoon before the convention starts at 6 or 7 PM. I always miss the pre convention activity because I have trouble arriving at a place like Richmond by the 3 or 4 PM departure time. I could go a day early and stay over a day or two as well. It would just as easy to visit Bull Run on my way home and overnight in Pennsylvania on my way home .

I will have time to read several books during my winter stay in Florida and I want to read books on the subjects I plan on visiting.

 

[cash]

You should be getting an itinerary for the field trips beforehand, correct?

If you have the chance to go to Manassas, take it. But realize also that if you're going that far you are also in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. You might want to stay around Richmond, because there are quite a number of sites there to keep you busy, including the Seven Days battles and Petersburg. Definitely you want to see Tredegar and Chimborazo as well as Hollywood Cemetery and the Museum of the Confederacy. Drewry's Bluff will take about an hour or so total to view. Richmond Battlefield Visitor's Center has a map with a driving tour of the Seven Days and Overland Campaign battlefields in the Richmond vicinity.

 

[major bill]

Yes I will receive an itinerary before hand, however I may not receive it prior to me leaving for Florida. I need to start reading soon if I want to read many books before April. It looks like I can find plenty to do in Richmond. Next year we will meet in Reston VA. and I may wait until next year's convention to do anything extra in northern Virginia.