2014 Richmond History Tours Season Kicks Off on April 1
The Valentine Richmond History Center is pleased to announce the 2014 Richmond History Tours. The History Center offers more than 340 opportunities to explore Richmond history on foot, by bus or with your dog. Tour topics vary and include the neighborhoods, architecture, churches, theaters, retail districts, monuments, cemeteries, waterways and people that make the city unique. All guides are trained and certified by the History Center.
RICHMOND – March 25, 2013 –The Valentine Richmond History Center is pleased to announce the 2014 Richmond History Tours schedule. The History Center offers more than 340 opportunities to explore Richmond history on foot, by bus or with your dog. Tour topics vary and include the neighborhoods, architecture, churches, theaters, retail districts, monuments, cemeteries, waterways and people that make the city unique. All guides are trained and certified by the History Center.
“Our tour program provides everyone the opportunity to learn more about Richmond’s unique and rich history.” said Bill Martin, History Center Director. “Everyone gets a chance to walk around an area that we may not typically visit in our everyday lives and that is an adventure in itself.”
Richmond History Tours are a healthy, educational and cost-effective activity for people of all ages. The 2014 season is generously supported by Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Richmond Region Tourism and Hollywood Cemetery.
Most walking tours are $15 ($5 for History members), and bus tours are $25 ($20 for History Center members). Hollywood Cemetery Specialty Tours* include a $5 donation to the Friends of Hollywood Cemetery for the restoration of monuments and iron fences on the cemetery grounds. The Hollywood Cemetery Specialty Tours* will offer a more enhanced experience than the regularly scheduled Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery tours.
Last year the History Center offered specific tours that celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week. This year, the History Center will continue the partnership with the Leading Women of Richmond walking tour that will be offered on April 30 and May 1 and 2 culminating at the Kent-Valentine House. An extended version of this tour will also be offered on June 1.
The History Center’s Director Bill Martin will also lead a new walking tour featuring the Richmond Liberty Trail on both June 7 and Aug. 2. The Richmond Liberty Trail is a 6.2 mile pedestrian route that connects a number of downtown Richmond’s historic sites including an overlap with the Richmond Slave Trail at Lumpkin’s Jail and the African Burial Ground. The trail winds through neighborhoods such as Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward, Court End, Capitol Square, Tredegar and Brown’s Island, the Canal Walk and Shockoe.
In partnership with the Richmond SPCA, the schedule features five specific tours where participants are permitted to bring their dog along for the tour.
In partnership with the Richmond Region Tourism, City Center walking tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday from May 6 to Aug. 30 at a new time of 10-11:30 a.m. The tours will depart from the Richmond Visitor Center located at 405 N. 3rd Street. The tour explores East Broad and Grace streets in downtown. In addition, tours return to Carytown,Church Hill, Jackson Ward, Shockoe Bottom, The Museum District, Monroe Ward and Manchester. The season will conclude with the popular Holiday Glitter: Monument Avenue After Dark tour offered on both Dec. 26 and 27.
The Civil War Sampler bus tour offered in conjunction with this year’s Civil War & Emancipation day will be on April 12. Free for all veterans, the Historic Cemeteries bus tour has been refreshed and will commemorate Memorial Day with visits to Richmond’s historic cemeteries. The popular I Know Richmond: The Bus Tour will give an overview of Richmond’s history including a tour of the Capitol and is offered twice this season. Seating is limited for all bus tours and reservations are required.
The schedule below includes all public tours for this season and includes each tour’s starting location. Some tours require reservations, which can be made at RichmondHistoryTours.com or by calling (804) 649-0711 ext. 301.
Private group tours and step-on guide service are also available by prior arrangement through the tour department:tours@richmondhistorycenter.com or (804) 649-0711 ext. 319.
Printed copies of the 2014 tour brochure, as well as images relevant to each tour’s content (free to media), are available by contacting (804) 649-0711 ext. 322 or pr@richmondhistorycenter.com.
The Valentine Richmond History Center offers Richmond History Tours as part of its ongoing commitment to the revitalization of Richmond’s downtown. By encouraging residents and visitors to explore and learn about city neighborhoods and districts, the History Center advances respect for Richmond’s past, promotes ownership of its present and fosters interest in its future.
(listed chronologically)
Offered daily Monday-Saturday, April 1-Oct. 31
The Alleys and Parks of the Fan Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Civil War Sampler Bus Tour (1-5 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Church Hill Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
History Hounds Explore Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Main Street Recycled Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Leading Women of Richmond Walking Tour (9-9:45 a.m.)
Leading Women of Richmond Walking Tour (9-9:45 a.m.)
Manchester Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
City Center Walks (10-11:30 a.m.)
Offered daily Tuesday-Saturday, May 6-Aug. 30
History Hounds Explore Bellevue (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: Symbolism and Monument Styles Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Monument Avenue Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
New Evening Tour! Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)
Capitol Square: Jefferson, Washington and Spielberg Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Historic Cemeteries Tour, Revisited Bus Tour (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) Free for veterans!
Hollywood Cemetery: The Civil War Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
NEW! Leading Women of Richmond Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
NEW! Director’s Tour: The Liberty Trail Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Downtown Churches Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
History Hounds Explore Church Hill Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Carytown and the Byrd Theatre, Revisited Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
New Evening Tour! Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: The Women of Hollywood Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Canal Boats and Cobblestones Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
I Know Richmond: The Bus Tour (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Capitol Square: Jefferson, Washington and Spielberg Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Richmond’s Historic Theaters Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
The Museum District Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
New Evening Tour! Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: Symbolism and Monument Styles Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Shockoe Bottom Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
NEW! Director’s Tour: The Liberty Trail Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Ginter Park Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Monument Avenue Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: The Civil War Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Canal Boats and Cobblestones Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
New Evening Tour! Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)
Jackson Ward Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Byrd Park and The Carillon Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
New Evening Tour! Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
History Hounds Explore The Fan Walking Tour (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Monroe Ward Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: A Rural Garden on a Grand Scale Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Scott’s Addition Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Carytown and the Byrd Theatre, Revisited Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
History Hounds Explore Monument Avenue Walking Tour (10a.m.-12 p.m.)
Oregon Hill Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery: The Women of Hollywood Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
Main St. Recycled Walking Tour (2-4 p.m.)
Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (10-11:30 a.m.)
Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour* (2-4 p.m.)
I Know Richmond: The Bus Tour (1-4 p.m.)
Holiday Glitter: Monument Avenue After Dark Walking Tour (6-7:30 p.m.)