Rector SearchOur Growing City
History & Location
Geographically, Richmond stands at the rocky falls of the James River, where the Piedmont hills step down to the Tidewater plain. The James is a beautiful place within our city, now preserved by the James River Park System.
On either side of the James River Falls, you find the best urban small-mouth bass fishing in the US. The Falls themselves provide exceptional Class 5 rapids for rafting and kayaking. Along the banks of the James, you enjoy trails for hiking, biking and visiting with neighbors.
We are a city of bridges.
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Bridging the James |
Bridging the Races |
Historically, Richmond stands in the watershed of American democracy. Jamestown settlers reached the falls of the James River in 1607. Here, Patrick Henry declared "Give me liberty, or give me death!" and Virginia adopted the Statute of Religious Freedom-the first of its kind anywhere.
Unfortunately, Richmond, as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia, also helped develop the American institution of slavery, defended it during the Civil War, and extended its effects through Jim Crow Laws and Massive Resistance. See www.blackhistorymuseum.org. Yet, Virginia also elected in 1989 the first African-American governor in the United States and was the first state to adopt an apology for slavery. In 2007, Richmond dedicated a Reconciliation Statue-identical to others in Liverpool, UK, and Benin, West Africa-acknowledging regret for the past and hope for the future. www.richmondhistorycenter.com.
We are a city of bridges-between peoples.
