This is part 2 of the conversation with Phillip Barnard. This part of the conversation concentrates on the 19th and 20th century history of the great Masons’ Hall in downtown RVA.
In the conversation George Washington, The Marquis de Lafayette, Edgar Allan Poe, John Marshall are some of the big names that show up in this segment of the conversation.
Phillip Barnard is the guest on this episode talking about the history of one of the most under rated historic buildings in RVA, Masons’ Hall. It is one of a handful of 18th century buildings in the area. During the early days of the city it was an early site for elections and courts, and a one of the sites to house debates on the constitution.
These topics and more are covered in this, part one. Part 2 mostly covers the building’s role during the War of 1812, the Civil War and beyond.
On this first “mini” episode, There is a quick discussion on some of the things in RVA history that happened in July and August throughout the years from the #OTDinRVA from social media.
This is the first of many mini episodes, so let me know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook or at jeffmajer@historyreplaystoday.org
On this episode, the senior pastor at Richmond Hill, The Rev Ben Campbell talks about the history of the community. Founded in 1987, Richmond Hill is an ecumenical Christian fellowship and residential community in Richmond’s historic Church Hill. It is housed in the former Sisters of the Visitation of Monte Maria monastery. The location has been spiritually significant for thousands of years.
Campbell is also the author of the great book Richmond’s Unhealed History. It is available where ever you buy books or at Richmond Hill.
The view of the Shockoe Valley from Richmond Hills garden
On this episode, Maurie McInnis & Gregg Kimball tell the podcast about the slave trade in Richmond, VA. Richmond was one of the centers of the domestic slave trade. McInnis is the curator of the exhibit To Be Sold: Virginia and the American Slave Trade at the Library of Virginia, a professor of art history and american studies at the University of Virginia and the author of many books including Slaves Waiting for Sale: Abolitionist Art and The American Slave Trade. Kimball is the Director of Public Services and Out Reach for the Library of Virginia.
The database of the trans-Atlantic slave trade referenced in this episode can be found here.
Richmond is home to the 6th synagogue established in the US and the Jewish community has been a major part of the city’s history. On this episode, Grace Zell, a Docent and Administrative Assistant at the Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives discusses the story with History Replays Today.
Topics include but are not limited to the earliest days of the city when it’s earliest Jews settled in Church Hill, Judah Benjamin, who has been called the “Brains of the Confederacy”, the Thalhimers who created one of the largest department stores in Virginia, the first jewish burial ground in Virginia and the only Jewish Civil War Burial ground any where.
Ralph White retired as the Manager of the James River Park System. It has been said that what we know of today as the James River Park System can be attributed to White.
On this episode, he talks about the history of the James River Park System, the history of the James River and answers some questions from HRT listeners on social media.
John Marshall House at 818 E Marshall St, Richmond, Va c. 1900
Which Richmonder do you think has had the largest influence on the United States Government? It may be short list but at the top of that list, or at least near the top, has got to be John Marshall. On this episode Bobbie LeViness, Site Coordination of The John Marshall House at 818 E Marshall St discusses Marshall’s life.
Marshall built the house at 818 E Marshall St in 1790 and lived there until his death in 1835. Since the early 1900’s Preservation Virginia has owned the house and now runs it as a museum to the man who built it.
Marshall’s amazing life includes being an officer in the Continental Army and he was the first person, and still one of only a few, to serve in all 3 branches of the federal government. He is best know as the third confirmed Chief Justice of the United State. He is the longest serving and is known as the “Great Chief Justice”.
You are encouraged to visit the John Marshall House which closes during some of the colder months but reopens on Feb 28, 2014 and is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Wickham House where The Valentine opened, seen after 1933. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
On this episode, Bill Martin, The Director of The Valentine Richmond History Center discusses the history of The Valentine, which is the oldest museum in Richmond. The museum opened its doors in 1898 in the Wickham House on the corner of Clay and 11th St. Over the years the museum has gone through many changes as RVA and its needs for a museum have changed, including expansion. The museum now takes up the entire block of East Grace St between 10th & 11th Streets. Martin also tells History Replays Today about the current renovations of the museums main galleries. The renovation is allowing Martin and The Valentine to reexamine what its means to live in a city like Richmond, that is layered with history and how that history should be taught and related to.
The Valentine Richmond History Center is a must visit for any one that wants to know anything about Richmond. The museum (like this podcast) focuses on ALL of Richmond’s history not just the Civil War. In fact Martin lays out why the Civil War may not even be the most important time in RVA’s history.
The Wickham House and Edward Valentine’s Studio remain open through out the renovation. The renovations progress can be monitored every Wednesday at the “Hard Hat Happy Hour”. The Valentine’s Community Discussions will also continue. Find out more information on the Valentine’s calendar of events.