A number of tours of Richmond and the surrounding areas are being planned. Tours will be held on Wednesday, October 5th, Thursday, October 6th and Sunday, October 9th.
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Thursday, October 6th 7:00am-11:45am Meet in the 1st Floor Salon
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African American Heritage Bus Tour Exploring Richmond in Slavery and Freedom
More enslaved Africans passed through Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, than any other place. This is where the pebble dropped. Join Elegba Folklore Society's interpreters on a compelling journey into Richmond's history to visit sites where few monuments exist. Trails, churches and homes tell the other half of the story; the story that lives between the pages of history books -- in red, white and black.
Live in this interactive experience along the Trail of Enslaved Africans and ponder the impact of enslavement on the enslaved as shared in their own words and from their own view. Participants will walk in our ancestors' footsteps from their arrival point at river's edge.
See Shockoe Bottom, the area of Richmond that housed the holding pens, jails, blocks and African Burial Ground. You will have the chance to immerse yourself in past occurrences that affected The American Civil War, the African presence in it and that impact our perspectives today.
Build with us the historical bridge to the post-war era, de-boarding again to see the development of Historic Jackson Ward, the birthplace of black entrepreneurship. Meet Maggie L. Walker. Visit the campus of Virginia Union University, connecting its start from the Union’s victory to America’s first elected African American governor. See the memorials to Richmond’s favorite sons, film star and dancer, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and tennis great/humanitarian, Arthur Ashe.
This tour features a 20-minute, slow-paced interpretive walk outdoors along the river. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Water will be provided. Excited to share our stories!
Water will be provided.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM Meet in 1st Floor Grand Ballroom
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“The Object . . . Is to Surprise and Capture Richmond” The United States Colored Troops at the battles of New Market Heights and Chaffin’s Farm
This bus tour led by the National Park Service will examine the Union’s best chance to surprise and capture the Confederate capital of Richmond during the Civil War. Focusing on the role of United States Colored Troops, the tour will start at Deep Bottom Landing, one of two sites where the Federal Army of the James crossed the James River by pontoon bridge on September 29, 1864. Leading the way were units of United States Colored Troops that spearheaded an attack against the strong Confederate position at New Market Heights. In the fighting that occurred there, fourteen African Americans earned the Medal of Honor. We will view New Market Heights and follow the Federals’ route to Fort Gilmer and examine the efforts by members of the USCTs to take this strong Confederate position.
After breaking for lunch, we will explore the Union assault against Fort Harrison on September 29, 1864, its capture, the Confederates’ failed efforts to retake the fort on September 30 and its occupation by USCTs. Finally, we will follow the route of the Union army as it marched into Richmond in April of 1865 and conclude the tour at Capitol Square.
The tour will have stops at:
- Deep Bottom Landing
- Fort Gilmer
- Fort Harrison
- Capitol Square
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