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