This morning we made a few phone calls to tie up some loose ends that we didn't get to before our departure and so didn't head out until 11:30 am. We went directly to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VFMA). True to form for this trip we were "one day late" for their blockbuster special exhibit on the Forbidden City. One would guess that everyone in Richmond and environs had been to the Museum in previous weeks for that exhibit as it was eerily quiet today. In most galleries it was us and the very bored guards. We spent the most time in their Arts + Crafts, Art Deco and Art Nouveau collection and then surveyed the other collections.
Arts + Crafts, Art Deco and Art Nouveau
One thing that VFMA had that I haven't noticed in other exhibitions like this is multiple complete room settings with a full complement of types of furniture and decorations.
Stained Glass
Photographs of Artists
There was a very nice exhibit of photos of artists by various photographers.
Paintings of the Sea
Sculpture
We then created our own driving tour of Richmond attractions based on some research on-line. The object was to check out those sites that we could spend more time at on future visits and to see others that didn't really need more than a drive-by or quick walk. The route took us to Maymont Park, Hollywood Cemetery, Shockoe Slip and Monument Avenue.
Maymont Park looks like it deserves a return visit. The 100 acre Park was a gift to the city of Richmond from Henry and Sallie Dooley who lived there from 1893 to 1925. There is a nature center, wildlife exhibits, gardens and arboretum and the mansion house to explore.
We did take some time to walk a bit and explore Hollywood Cemetery. Named for its Holly Trees the cemetery is on a hill overlooking the James River. It's winding hills and many trees give it a garden like atmosphere. In the area known as President's Circle are the graves of two American Presidents James Munroe and John Tyler. They lie within 30 feet of each other. Tyler's obelisk is much more impressive than the overly ornate cast iron gage over Munroe's sarcophagus. It is nicknamed "the Birdcage". Then it was on to visit the grave of another American President, the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. Hollywood is also the final resting place of 28 Confederate Generals.
Shockoe Slip is an older area of town with gaslights and cobblestone streets that looks like a nice place to take a stroll.
Monument Avenue is one of America's grand boulevards. Lined with stately homes, places of worship and apartments with a grassy strip between the east and west bound lanes. The Avenue is also known for its statues. The south's Civil War leaders are well represented with statues of Lee, Jackson, Davis and J.E.B. Stuart as are famous sons of Richmond like the statue of native son Arthur Ashe with Tennis racket in one hand and a book in the other surrounded by children he inspired.
All in all today convinced us that Richmond is a city to which we will return.