Richmond’s place in American history is unquestioned. The amount of Civil War history that has been preserved is impressive. You will find this rich history in Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Richmond National Battlefield Park is more than 2,200 acres and is home to 13 distinct sites.
Here is a list of sites to see:
- Chickahominy Bluff
- Chimborazo Medical Museum
- Cold Harbor Battlefield
- Drewry’s Bluff
- Fort Brady
- Fort Harrison
- Gaines’ Mill Battlefield
Battlefield Park is a dedication to the history of the Battle of Great Bridge. On visiting the park, you will realize it is home to an Interpretive Historic Pathway. Also an Outdoor Amphitheater, a Re-creation of the Causeway from 1775, a Family Picnic Area, and a future monument to the British troops.
Ironworks, gun positions & army hospitals are preserved as exhibits on 3,000 acres of old battlefields
Other interesting facts to learn at the park include the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, Chimborazo Hospital, and Lincoln’s Visit to Richmond, VA.
If you want to understand the battlefields, you can walk in each of the 13 park areas. Some of these resources are extremely fragile. As a visitor to the park, you will be requested to stay on the designated trails. This is to preserve these places for generations to come.
Artifacts relevant to the Richmond area are showcased at the Civil War Visitor Center.
American Revolution triggered Richmond’s history. However, the Civil War brought Virginia’s largest city to the forefront.
Three separate battlefields bring the period to life. Each battlefield gives you a glimpse of how much Richmond struggled to survive for three years. The city was under pressure from advancing Federal troops moving from Washington.
See miles of original fortifications, from simple trenches to incredibly complex forts. One site shows how Union troops tried to break through to Richmond by sailing up the James River in 1862. Several lengthy campaigns followed.
Richmond National Battlefield Park stands today as a testament to a trying time in America.
The park’s resources include a naval battle, a key industrial complex, the Confederacy’s largest hospital, dozens of miles of elaborate original fortifications, and the evocative spots where determined soldiers stood paces apart and fought with rifles, reaping a staggering human cost.
There is no charge for admission into the park. However. Parking is (in the Tredegar Iron Works lot) $3 per hour.
The park’s environment is conducive for families and allows wheelchair access. You can have lots of fun here!