| Richmond, Virginia is a city surrounded by | | | | through the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. |
| history working hard to achieve a good | | | | The sprawling environment features several |
| future. Not far from Richmond on the James | | | | specialized Gardens including: the four |
| River is Jamestown, the first settlement in | | | | seasons Garden made of indigenous materials |
| the United States by the British and 30 miles | | | | and mythical fountains, a healing Garden made |
| north of Richmond is Williamsburg, start of | | | | of plants used for medicine and medieval |
| the Virginia colony. The American Civil War | | | | healing, a sunken garden designed and shaped |
| raged through the heart of Richmond which was | | | | like ancient Rome and the Rose Garden framed |
| the capital of the old South and | | | | around a reflecting pool set aside by the |
| battlefields, houses, and memories from that | | | | many colors of roses available. The Ginter |
| time exist around the city still. Richmond | | | | Gardens also feature walkways and an |
| has become famous for Monument Avenue, a long | | | | educational center, a horticultural awareness |
| stretch of highway downtown which features | | | | center and a peaceful healing environment for |
| huge stone statues of civil war heroes. | | | | anyone who needs a little rest and beauty in |
| Monument Avenue was also a bronze statue of | | | | their lives. The Gardens charge a minimal fee |
| tennis great Arthur Ashe who defeated racial | | | | for entering and participants can stay as |
| segregation to become one of the premier | | | | long as they desire. Cold Harbor Battlefield |
| tennis players in the world and work to | | | | Because Civil War history plays so much a |
| ensure racial equality and understanding | | | | part in the Richmond landscape, preserved |
| within the world of professional sports. | | | | battle sites and houses can be seen in and |
| However Richmond is much more than monuments | | | | around the Richmond area. By far the best |
| and flags. It is surrounded by natural | | | | preserved is the Cold Harbor Battlefield |
| treasures. Maymont Park Near the center of | | | | park. Located on Route 156 slightly south of |
| downtown Richmond is Maymont Park. Once a 100 | | | | Mechanicsville, Virginia approximately 25 |
| acre private residence owned by wealthy | | | | miles from Richmond, this battlefield |
| family named the Dooley's, they donated the | | | | features a 1 mile paved walk through the last |
| entire estate to the people of Richmond for | | | | battlefield the south won on during the Civil |
| the future of the city. The park features a | | | | War. Place markers show bunkers that have |
| visitor center with aquatic displays, a | | | | been preserved, Union and Confederate lines |
| children's petting zoo, an Italian garden, | | | | and lead to the Garthwright House a structure |
| amazingly well constructed Japanese garden | | | | remaining from the Civil War that was used as |
| from two periods of Japanese history, and a | | | | a hospital for Union soldiers. Cold Harbor |
| horse carriage museum. Amidst all that is a | | | | Battlefield offers a peaceful beautiful walk |
| sprawling open park for picnicking and | | | | through history. Among these natural delights |
| relaxation. Maymont Park is free and open to | | | | is Richmond, a city full of technology, |
| the public and hosts many events to educate | | | | business opportunities with a nod towards its |
| citizenry and visitors on conserving the land | | | | future economic development. Fortunately, |
| and natural resources of central Virginia. | | | | with such natural delights and historical |
| Ginter botanical Gardens One of the | | | | emphasis Richmond will never escape its past. |
| highlights to any trip to Richmond is a trip | | | | |