Category Archives: Tredegar

Railroad in The Penitentiary Basin

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The Penitentiary Basin was dammed at the beginning of the 19th century, between Oregon Hill and Gambles Hill and below the Va. State Penitentiary. It served as an important turning basin for canal boats traveling the James River and Kanawha Canal. Canal boats offloaded supplies, and there was a canal boat building business in the Basin. The 1876 Beers Atlas shows the Basin below Oregon Hill at a time when canal boat traffic was being replaced by the more versatile railroads. In March 1880 the James River and Kanawha Company conveyed all of the canal property to the Richmond Alleghany Railroad, and the Penitentiary Basin soon was filled in and became a busy rail yard with turntable and machine shop. The 1889 Baist Atlas shows the remarkable transition from the previous decade as the extensive railroad infrastructure replaced the canal boat traffic. The water from the James River and Kanawha Canal continued to power the waterwheels at Tredegar Iron Works well into the 20th century. The attached photograph shows a steam engine beside the canal filling up with water from the tower located at the former Penitentiary Basin. Pratt’s Castle on Gambles Hill can be seen directly above the water tower. The former Penitentiary Basin is now owned by NewMarket Corporation, and it is hoped that they will be respectful of the rich history of this site.

Photo credits:
Canal/Railroad photo, Library of Virginia;
Baist Atlas, 1889, VCU Libraries;
Penitentiary Basin, Beers Atlas, 1876, Library of Congress

canal photo (Library of Va.)Baist_Atlas_of_Richmond_VA_1889-Penitentiary basinPenitentiary Basin, 1876 Beers atlas

Guerrilla Warfare During The Civil War Event On Thursday

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The Tredegar Society, “an association of young professionals who come together to promote and further the goals of the American Civil War Museum”, is presenting an event on Thursday called “Guerrilla Warfare During The Civil War”.

From the FaceBook event page:

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Barton Myers of Washington & Lee University, highlighting the role guerrilla warfare played during the Civil War. The $10 ticket includes beer/wine and light snacks during the reception from 6:00pm to 6:45pm. The talk will begin at 6:45.

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Rifle Fire In Hollywood Cemetery Tomorrow

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Hollywood Cemetery has a ceremony planned for tomorrow at 10:00 am and there will be rifle fire. The cemetery office apologizes for the late notice, the ceremony holders did not realize they should supply advance notice.

In other news, complaints from neighbors are mounting in regard to the now DAILY cannon fire from the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar. It’s being shot off around 2:20 pm every day “for tourism”, while disturbing residents and their pets. Some who are closer to Tredegar are becoming concerned about the noise actually shaking and damaging their walls and property.

‘Fresh Dressed’ At Tredegar

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From the FaceBook event page:

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and join Afrikana Independent Film Festival for Starry Night Cinema,our 1st lawn chair series! Starry Night Cinema will be held on the Historic Tredegar Ironworks lawn and will showcase feature-length films underneath the beautiful night sky.

Our series opener is the documentary, Fresh Dressed. Produced by NAS and directed by Sacha Jenkins, Fresh Dressed explores the history and relationship between fashion and hip-hop culture. The film features commentary from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Big Daddy Kane, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Nas, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, Damon Dash, André Leon Talley, A$AP Rocky, Marc Ecko, Kid ‘N Play & many others.

Gates open at 8p
Screening starts at dusk (around 8:45p)
Concessions and adult beverages will be available
Open to the Public
Suggested donation $10

*In the case of inclement weather, meet us under the big tent in the Tredegar Courtyard

“Oregon Hill Proposed Conditions for Tredegar Green Amphitheater”

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The following letter was sent from an attorney hired by the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association on June 17 to members of City Council, the Mayor’s office, Richmond Police Department, and others.

Dear elected and appointed officials of the City of Richmond:

We represent the neighborhood associations of Oregon Hill and the Overlook.

The citizens of Oregon Hill and the Overlook have engaged with Venture Richmond in a series of discussions, and today have provided a set of draft conditions for the consideration of Venture Richmond in their proposed zoning request to the City for the Tredegar Green Amphitheater.

The homeowners and residents of Oregon Hill support (and enjoy) robust public use of the riverfront and specifically do not oppose reasonable use of the Tredegar Green property. However, like any neighborhood of homeowners in the City, they have reasonable concerns about adverse impacts on noise, parking, trash, public safety and the like. And, like any neighborhood of homeowners in the City, they have a legitimate expectations that these adverse impacts will be reasonably addressed by a zoning applicant and by their City officials.

To assist Venture Richmond and the City, we have prepared a proposed set of conditions that we feel reasonably address the adverse impacts of use of the Tredegar Green property. Attached are that set of conditions and an explanatory cover letter to Venture Richmond counsel Bill Axselle.

We look forward to working with Venture Richmond and the City as the zoning application goes forward. In that process, we submit these conditions to allow the uses that Venture Richmond envisions while reasonably protecting the neighbors on Oregon Hill.

We welcome your input and assistance in this regard.

Thank you very much,

Andrew R. McRoberts
Attorney
Sands Anderson PC

From: McRoberts, Andrew R.
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:31 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Oregon Hill Proposed Conditions for Tredegar Green Amphitheater

Bill, here are our proposed conditions and an explanatory cover letter. We look forward to working with you in addressing the Oregon Hill neighborhood’s reasonable concerns.

We learned this morning – too late to affect these conditions I promised you today – that the Richmond Police Department (“RPD”) may wish for the applications for event management plan approval to go through another department or agency rather than the RPD. Although I have not discussed this with my clients, I anticipate that shifting the receiving/approving agency to another department or office which works better for all would be acceptable to us. As I mentioned in the cover letter, a number of City departments may be involved in review of a proposed event management plan.

Thanks for your assistance,

Andrew

Andrew R. McRoberts
Attorney
Sands Anderson PC

Attachment: Letter to Hon Ralph L. Axselle Jr 6-17-15 (Editor’s note: click here for PDF)

Updates From Tredegar (American Civil War Museum)

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From email:

Beginning Wednesday, July 1, the Museum will conduct cannon demonstrations daily between 2:15 and 2:30 pm. Daily demonstrations will continue through Labor Day weekend, and are part of our ongoing efforts to create interesting and engaging activities for Museum visitors. It is our sincere hope that the expanded schedule will not cause undue stress among our neighbors on Oregon Hill.

I also would like to give you an update on the work that is being done to the canal wall at the Tredegar site. All the willow oaks on the south side of the wall, and the small scrub trees growing close to the north side of the wall, have been removed. Craddock Masonry, Inc. is conducting repair and reconstruction, which is under way. Where the extent of damage requires it, the top three courses will be rebuilt and the entire length of the wall sealed. Holes and erosion of the wall will be repaired. Old bricks that are in good condition will be reused, with matching vintage brick being used as needed. This work is scheduled to be finished by late July.

Hollywood Cannon and Belle Island Tour

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There will be cannon fire as part of the annual Jefferson Davis birthday ceremony in Hollywood Cemetery on Saturday, June 6th, from 9:00 am to about 11:00 am. The ceremony will include a keynote speaker, Rev. Herman White, Chaplain of the North Carolina Division, SCV, as well as a bag pipe band, rifle squad, artillery salute and wreath laying. The event is free and open to the public. The cannon fire will happen towards the end of the event.

And if you want to know more about that Belle Isle prison camp, there’s a Sensory History Tour of Belle Isle Prison Camp on Saturday, June 6, noon to 2 p.m. This conversational walking tour is sponsored by the Tredegar Society of the American Civil War Museum in partnership with RVA Archaeology. Tickets cost $10. www.tredegar.org/ts.aspx or Sean Kane: skane@acwm.org or 804 649 1861, x123.

Richmond Urban Land Institute Meeting On Wednesday: “Progress on Richmond’s Riverfront: Cultivating Connections with the James River”

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It’s not free to attend, but there is a meeting this Wednesday by the Urban Land Institute that is focusing on riverfront connections.

How should Richmond take advantage of the opportunities that the James River offers? What types of infrastructure is necessary to encourage interaction with the James? What progress has already been made?

Join ULI and it’s Young Leader’s Group for a panel-led discussion that will highlight projects that encourage Richmond to engage with the James River. Our distinguished panel will provide commentary on the progress that has been made along Richmond’s Riverfront and will discuss the vision for the future.

Note that it is being moderated by Lucy Meade of Venture Richmond. Can we really expect the public interests to be adequately represented at this meeting?

Illegally Demolished Historic Wall To Be Rebuilt HIGHER

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After the historic Tredegar wall was illegally demolished several years ago, and much controversy resulted, several promises were made to rebuild the wall.

Recently, a neighbor who works in historic preservation has been helping preparations to finally start work on rebuilding the wall.

However, this website has recently learned that there are new plans to rebuild the wall at least twenty feet higher than its previous height. No one could comment on this development at press time.

While it remains a mystery as to the exact reasons being given for this raise, there is some speculation on the need to use ‘extra’ historic bricks that will be made available from the planned updating of old City Hall. Some Oregon Hill residents believe the higher wall will be used to host community movie screenings, while others believe that the City is preparing the wall for river level rise due to climate change.

Please stay tuned as this story develops.

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