Richmond

Almost from the war's first shots, Richmond was a focal point in the Civil War. Although other Southern cities were more populous, no place in the Confederacy combined as many important features as Richmond. Strategically placed on the James River, with an active commercial, manufacturing, and transportation infrastructure, Richmond was one of the South's premier cities. When the Confederate government established Richmond as its capital in May 1861, it ensured that central Virginia would be the center of the War.

Richmond was worth fighting for. Tredegar Iron Works, perched on the riverbank, formed a prominent part of the city's industrial capability. Five railroads radiated from the city like spokes on a wheel, directly connecting Richmond with every part of Virginia, and indirectly linking it with the Deep South.

This afternoon we visited the Richmond National Battlefield Park Civil War Visitor Center in downtown Richmond. The visitor center is on the site of Tredegar Iron Works, the Confederacy's most important iron foundry and rolling mill. Exhibits and displays tell the story of Richmond during the Civil War and the battlefields around the city.

There were two major campaigns for Richmond, the 1862 Peninsula Campaign that lasted five months  and the 1864 Overland Campaign that ultimately culminated in the end of the war. Richmond never came under direct assault or even long-range bombardment but it endured its share of hardships. The war brought thousands of refugees and residents fought a losing battle against scarcity and inflation. Prices soared and hunger was ever present. The focus of the Richmond National Battlefield Park is the tell the story of Richmond during the war and also the importance of the Tredegar Iron Works, where it is located.

The entrance to the Richmond National Battlefield Park located in the historic Tredegar Iron Works.

A wall inside that shows the evolution of the uses of the building.

Discussing the Napoleon Bronze cannon with a National Park interpreter.

The immense water wheel that provided power to the iron works.

Other outside machinery.

After visiting this park we stepped next door to The American Civil War Center.  They allowed no photography in the Center, although I have no clue as to why they don't.  The ACWC attempts to tell the story of the Civil War from the perspective of the Union, Confederate and African Americans.  There are maps and exhibits that highlight key events of the war and detailed timelines.  The one aspect of the Center that I think they did very well was to tell the story of the African American experience during the war. Most presentations that we have seen simply ignore this group. 

The entrance to the Center across a plaza from the Tredegar Iron Works.

A forbidden picture from the inside.  The curved wall has a timeline of events leading up to the start of the Civil War, from before the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. A second floor timeline details the events of the war.

A view of a small portion of the City of Richmond directly across the street from the two museums.  The iron works was right on the river.