history archive
May 4, 2008
why that church does not have a steeple
Hurricane Hazel, the only recorded Category 4 hurricane to make landfall as far north as North Carolina, was the worst hurricane of the 1954 Atlantic hurricane season and one of the worst hurricanes of the 20th century. The storm hit Richmond on October 15, 1954, with 79 mile-an-hour winds that bent the steeple of the Trinity Methodist Church on East Broad Street.
April 28, 2008
Historic Photos of Richmond
There are more than a few great books covering specific facets of Richmond’s history. The recent Historic Photos of Richmond “captures this city’s journey through still photography selected from the finest archives” with a well-selected set of photos from the 1860s to the 1960s.
April 19, 2008
Church Hill walking tour tomorrow
On this walking tour put together by Valentine Richmond History Center, explore the neighborhood described as “the best example of 19th century cityscape still standing in the U.S.” Join your guide for a walk through this historic district and examine the architectural treasures that are such an important part of Church Hill. This area, while rich in history, is also a neighborhood “in progress.” As you tour the area, you will see the work that is underway to revitalize this historic district. Sunday 2PM.
April 8, 2008
the origin of Chimborazo?
WCVE Commentator Brooks Smith has a notion of where Chimborazo Park might have earned its name…
March 26, 2008
the shelling of Church Hill
Today’s RTD has a story about an incident in 1950 when Virginia National Guardsmen training at Sixth and Marshall Streets accidentally fired a live shell down Marshall Street and up into Church Hill:
The shell first slammed through the roof of a porch on a house at 2214 E. Marshall St. “It plowed a foot-long hole through the roof and emerged near a front-porch post,” The Times-Dispatch said. It then sailed across the front porch of the house next door, destroying a glider cushion on its way and passing within feet of an infant asleep in a first-floor front room.
The shell continued on a path that took it beneath the porch of the next house, where it knocked out wooden supports. Its final target was the porch at 2220 E. Marshall St., built lower than the others. There, it destroyed a swing and splintered a post. It then landed in the street, rolled and came to rest beneath a parked car, where it remained until police and military officials quickly arrived to retrieve it.
March 26, 2008
Springfield School (circa 1915)
Springfield School, 26th and Leigh Street, Richmond, Va. is one of the most modern and complete Elementary Schools in the South. It is a fire-proof building, constructed in 1913 of Virginia granite at a cost of $100,000. It contains twenty-five class rooms, a large assembly hall and is splendidly equipped for instruction in Manual Training and Domestic Science. Besides Kindergarten and Retarded Classes, there are two Open-Air Schools in operation on the roof.
March 12, 2008
Liberty or Death Anniversary Reenactment
The Patrick Henry Committee of St. John’s Church announces the 233rd Anniversary Reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. In the presence of Washington, Jefferson and other notable Virginians, Patrick Henry delivered his passionate call for liberty, uttering the immortal words “give me liberty or give me death!”. St.John’s Church, March 16 @1PM, free.
February 28, 2008
Liberty Lecture Series: Woody Holton @ St.John’s
Woody Holton, University of Richmond Professor, author of Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution, and a National Book Award Finalist will speak as part of the Valentine Richmond History Center’s Liberty Lecture Series at St. John’s Church on Wednesday, March 5th @ 11AM. Stay after the lecture for lunch and book signing.
February 27, 2008
the view that named Richmond
River City Rapids turned us on to a post on Bagpipe Fever where they visit Richmond on The Thames and get to really compare the view that so inspired William Byrd.
February 17, 2008
this week’s calendar
Church Hill Association meeting, Union Hill Civic Association meeting, open mic @ Poe’s, MLK PTA, Movies that Celebrate African American History, The Life and Work of John Jasper, Beginning Computer Classes for Adults, recycling; MORE…
February 2, 2008
Old House Authority offers restoration information
The RTD’s New venture can help with restoration profiles the Old House Authority, a new venture of Jennie Dotts, Walter Dotts, and Dixon Kerr that offers services and information on restoration experts and old-house renovation, and “sells products such as invisible storm windows that are historically accurate, aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient”. The Old House Authority also offers assistance to artisans and craftsmen.
January 26, 2008
ACORN’s Researching the History of Your House
ACORN’s 5th Annual Susan Carter Williams Memorial Seminar, Researching the History of Your House, this morning at the Library of Virginia included the presentations Architectural Eras, Styles and House Types by Kim Chen , Your Historic Property: Detective Work at the Library of Virginia by Vince Brooks, Resources available at your Main Public Library by Harriet Henderson, Property Record Evidence at the John Marshall Courthouse by Michael Dodson, and Uncovering Clues at the Valentine Richmond History Center by Meg Glass.
January 21, 2008
ACORN: Uncovering the History of Your House
ACORN, in partnership with the Library of Virginia, will present Uncovering the History of Your House, a Seminar in Researching the History of Homes on Saturday January 26th, from 9AM to 12:30PM at the Library of Virginia (800 E. Broad Street).
