Other historical sites, Richmond

These windows of the Old Town Hall, on my picture, were relatively simple in design. They reminded more previous era of "boring" Georgian architecture than more decorative High Victorian style. But they were typical for Victorian style of large public houses built at the end of 19th century.

This white bell tower on my picture was well seen from a distance at the western part of the Capitol Square. It belonged to the most famous church of Richmond - St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Built in 1844, on the grounds of the previous Monumental church, became the most important church during the Civil War.

It was the church of the two most famous people of the Confederacy: General Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis, whose son is burried there. On 2 April 1865, during the holy service, the massage to evacute Richmond was delivered to President Jefferson. Luckily fire which destroyed much of downtown later in that year didn't destroy the church.

Well, I saw only the bell tower. Next time I am going to visit the church inside and the Memorial Garden open there in 1985. If you like organ music check schedule of concerts which take place in the church.

This bell on my picture was hang in white, hidden among trees structure on the top of red brick, square bell tower.

The bell was a fire alarm and was also rung in emergencies. It rang in legislative sessions, too. In 1861-1865 it was used to call out local defenders. Notably on April 21, 1861 (Pawnee Sunday - more here) and on February 7, 1864.

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Its handsomely adorned false marble pillars support a 70 foot (22 m.) ceiling with a stain glass skylight. Leading town from the Palm Court to the Rotunda is the grand staircase, believed to be the model for the one in the movie Gone With the Wind. Distringuished guests include the Barrymore, Whitney, Vanderbilt, and Bush families. Famous individuals include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charlie Chaplin, Sarah Bernhardt, Charles Bronson, and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

In the Palm Court lobby, guests can relax with afternoon tea. As you enter, you see the life-sized marble statue of Thomas Jefferson and a 35' (10 m.) Tiffany stain glass skylight.

Lemaire Restaurant, the fanciest restaurant in the grand hotel, was designated as a 5-Diamond winner as well as the hotel at large. Once you enter, on the left you will find the library where many private lunches and dinners have been held. The fireplace is made of solid African mahogany.

On the rotunda level, left of the grand staircase, is a permanent historical exhibit which includes all manner of memorabilia from the hotels history.

The grand ballroom is the gathering point for formal and informal events. The Jefferson has hosted 9 U.S. Presidents, cotillions, weddings, and various corporate events. The grand ballroom has a gold detailed ceiling and a crystal chandelier.

This monument on my picture depicts a guy on a horse and is dedicated to Thomas J. Jackson "stonewall". It's pedestal looks too heavy but it is typical for the turn of 19th and 20th century. At least this 37 ft (11.3 m) high monument is well seen from a distance.

There was one more his monument in the Capitol Square.

At the very least consider a walk through of the Jefferson Hotel. Built in 1895 it is a tremendous example of the excesses of the gilded age. The marble pillars, the grand staircase, the stained glass skylight, the tapestries. It is all too much. It is easy to feel as if you are truly stepping back in time when you visit this hotel.

I checked out the prices for a room and it does not seem all that bad. Weekend packages including breakfast can be had for $250 a night. If I ever take Becky to Richmond, I'll probably splurge and stay here. The restaurant on premises, Lemaire, looks fantastic.

A nice statue of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, at the Jefferson Hotel. Did you know that eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia? Can you name them?

In the unlikely event that you cannot, here they are:

George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
James Monroe
John Tyler
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Woodrow Wilson

Time to delve into that can of worms known as equality for all races.

Arthur Ashe was a Richmond native and one heck of a tennis player and a gentleman. He died way too young from AIDS which he acquired through a blood transfusion. Richmond has every reason to celebrate and honor Arthur Ashe.

Monument Avenue has long been the exclusive home of gargantulan statues commemorating the heroics of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Jeb Stuart and Matthew Maury--all Confederate military leaders.

Certainly, Monument Avenue has long been a sore spot for many African Americans. The prominent display of Confederate generals who fought, in part, to maintain the system that enslaved their ancestors is understandably troubling to those who push for equality in this nation.

But is the correct solution a monument to Arthur Ashe on Monument Avenue? Why place a tennis professional yielding a tennis raquet on the same avenue as military leaders brandishing swords. Does not this placement diminish Ashe. Jackson, Lee and Stuart would not have been amongst Ashe's historical favorites.

On the flip side, I can understand those that would say, let's turn Monument Avenue into a true expression of heros from all time periods and all walks of life. And I can understand that the placement of Ashe on the Avenue is a shot across the bow of racism.

In the end, I would have to say that the placement of Ashe on this street is incongruous and not aesthetically pleasing. By all means honor Ashe with the greatest of pomp and ceremony. But not in line with those who would have enslaved him had they lived in the same era.