Richmond National Battlefield Park to commemorate 1781 British raid on Richmond Jan. 2-5
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Richmond National Battlefield Park will host a series of events Jan. 2-5 to commemorate the 1781 British raid on Richmond. The events, held in partnership with St. John’s Church Foundation, Henrico Public Libraries, and Henrico Recreation and Parks, will feature guided tours, presentations, a colonial musical performance, and reenactor programs. This annual event is focused on the Revolution in Metro Richmond.
The events will take place at various locations throughout the region, beginning on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. at Libbie Mill Library (2100 Libbie Lake East Street in Henrico) with a presentation by historian Kate Gruber about Virginia women in the Revolution.
The following day, a militia encampment will be held at the Clarke-Palmore House (904 McCoul Street in Henrico) from noon to 5 p.m.
The Chimborazo Medical Museum (3215 East Broad Street in Richmond) will be the site of re-enactor camps and demonstrations on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Demonstrations will cover cooking, colonial toys and games, rope making, colonial medicine, and spinning wool. The museum also will host musket demonstrations at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, a 2-mile, 2-hour "History and Preservation in Church Hill" walking tour will begin at the Chimborazo Medical Museum at 11 a.m. Following the tour, Historic St. John’s Church (2401 East Broad Street in Richmond) will host a colonial music performance from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., a presentation on Virginia Indians in the Revolution by Dr. Ashley Spivey from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and a conversation with General Benedict Arnold and Governor Thomas Jefferson from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The events commemorate the 1781 raid on Richmond, when Benedict Arnold, who had switched sides to the British the previous year, led British and Hessian troops in capturing the city. The raid lasted for 24 hours, during which the British destroyed supplies.
All activities are free and open to everyone. For details, click here or contact Park Ranger Bert Dunkerly at bert_dunkerly@nps.gov or Historic St. John’s Church at (804) 648-5015.
