Another monument on the avenue is of President Jefferson Davis depicting him standing atop a pedestal under Vindicatrix, the robed female that represented the spirit of Southern liberty.  Behind him is a semi-circular edifice that commemorizes each Southern State with columns and seperate bronze discs to represent each state that had representation in the Confederate congress.  On each side are plaques that honor the Confederate Military - to the left: the army & to the right: the naval forces.

Another historical attraction in Richmond we visited was the Museum of the Confederacy which had alot of authentic artifacts from the Civil War.  Exhibits included J.E.B. Stuart's actual feathered cavalry hat, uniforms of famous Southern generals like Pickett, Mosby and Jackson.  General Lee's overcoat, boots, gloves, uniform belt and hat.  Also in the museum were effects of enlisted men and the Confederate Navy.

Right next to the Museum of the Confederacy is what used to be the Confederate White House.  We toured the small but ornate building and found it absolutely fascinating.  Alot of the decorations, drapery, furniture and personal effects were all authentic to the first and only Confederate First Family: Jefferson Davis'.

In the heart of the city, along the James River are the ruins of the old Tredegar Iron Works - the munitions and steel foundry of Richmond.  Most of all the Southern rifles, cannons, ammunition and rail were made from this facility and it was the lifeblood of the Confederate war machine.  Two historical tourist attractions are located here - one in the munitions manufacturing building and the other in what used to be the foundry.  The first one is a part of the U.S Park System and gives an accurate portrayal of the battlespace of Richmond during the defense of the city.  The other is funded privately by donations and is put on by university professors and liberal academia.  The entire exhibit at the foundry was based on the thesis that the civil war centered on the fight against slavery - which is politically correct garbage and I gave them a peice of my mind.  The slavery issue was just a small part of a much larger conflict between two different cultures...most Southern people did not have slaves and were certainly not putting their lives on the line for rich plantation owners who depended on slaves to work their fields.

What many may not know is that Virginia is the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents which is the foundation of the state nickname: "The Old Dominion".  Two U.S. presidents and one Confederate are buried at Richmond in Hollywood Cemetery.  James Monroe, John Tyler and Jefferson Davis are buried there.  Monroe's grave is surrounded by black painted iron that is common among American presidents to prevent vandalism or molestation.  Jeff Davis' is interred with his family and has a statue and Confederate flag flying over his family plot.  Tyler has an obelisk and bust of his likeness atop a granite monument.

Civil war history aside, there were a couple of other places we toured - one of which was the Jefferson Hotel.  Built after the war in 1895 it was quite simply breath-taking inside.  In the center of the lobby atrium is a life-size statue of Thomas Jefferson.  The entire interior is lavishly decorated and has stain glass ceilings and large marble pillars and sweeping staircases.  Since we visited the hotel during the Christmas season - they had a life size gingerbread house inside that was made completely with candy and other sweets!  A picture of this house can be found in the photo album.

Lastly was the Virginia War Memorial that honors all Virginians that had sacrificed their lives in the defense of the United States.  All of the war dead from the Commonwealth from WWII to the present including the current Iraq conflict are memorialized in etched stone, glass and marble.  The memorial is on the edge of downtown not far from the state capital building overlooking the James River.

Hey thanks again for stopping by our web site and feel free to check out the other pictures I took in Richmond over in the photo album in the upper right corner of this page!  Stay in touch!  - R & O