The Revolutionary and Civil War History of Richmond Virginia

Welcome to Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is known locally as "The River City," thanks to the James River, which bisects it. It was first founded in 1742, though colonists from nearby Jamestown settled here in the early 1600s. The city is directly tied to many periods in American history, but today, we’re going to focus on the role it played in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

Benedict Arnold burned Richmond down in 1781, after colonists moved their capital here, in an attempt to protect it. Richmond’s designation as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War also made it a target for the Union Army. Despite a rocky beginning, today Richmond is the fourth largest city in the state, by population, showcasing a variety of architectural styles, cuisine, nightlife, and other cultural offerings. All this makes Richmond an ideal city for a walking tour, so let’s get started!

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Photo “Downtown Richmond (VA) from Libby Hill Park June 2012 (7433867610).jpg” by Ron Cogswell is licensed under CC BY 2.0