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Historic Sites Venue Falling Creek 1 Chesterfield Ironworks Park 8 This park is the site of Mid-Lothian the first ironworks in Mines the New World. Hopes County were unleashed, bat- Explore the nation's tles fought, and unreal- industrial heritage at ized dreams gradually the location of the faded at Falling Creek. The sound of industry was first heard first commercial coal on these shores. The Ironworks was constructed by the mines in America and Virginia Company between 1619 and 1622, and iron the first railroad in production began in late 1621 or early 1622. Today, this Virginia. The mission of the Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail archaeological site yields information about iron production. Roads Foundation is to provide educational, cultural and Parks and Recreation,748-1623. recreational opportunities through the preservation, recon- struction and interpretation of the historic coal mining and railroad sites in and around the village of Midlothian. 13301 North Woolridge Road. Details: 748-1623 or midlomines.org Hours: Dawn until dusk 2 Henricus Historical Park and Dutch Gap 7 Pocahontas Conservation State Park The scenic 7,625-acre park is Area located five miles from the Henricus Historical Park is re-creating the second success- Chesterfield County Courthouse ful English settlement in the New World. The development in the center of Chesterfield of the first hospital, the chartering of the first college in the County. Park amenities include New World, the English home of Pocahontas and other picnic shelters, a heritage center important events that occurred at Henricus contributed to and amphitheater complex that the significant roles this settlement played in the creation of are available for meetings, con- a way of life and a nation. ferences and special events. Also journey through the 810-acre Dutch Gap The Virginia Department of Conservation Area, the site of major Revolutionary War and Conservation and Recreation has Civil War action. With the James River as a backdrop, opened a museum to honor the men who worked to Dutch Gap offers one of the best birding sites on the East build the Virginia State Parks. Park offerings include a Coast and boasts a bounty of woodlands, wildlife, water- swimming pool, boating, bicycling, hiking and individual ways, fishing spots and hiking trails. and group camping. 251 Henricus Park Road. The Park is open year-round from dawn until dusk. The Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, campgrounds are open April through November. There is noon-5 p.m. Details: 748-1161 or henricus.org a park admission fee. 10301 State Park Road. Hours: Dawn until dusk Details: 796-4255 3 County Museum, Historic 1917 Courthouse and 6 5 4 Eppington Magnolia Grange Castlewood Old Jail Eppington was This Federal-style plantation One of the finest The Chesterfield County built in the early house was built in 1822 by Federal-period houses Museum is just one of the many 1770s by Francis William Winfree. Magnolia in Chesterfield County, places to learn about the county’s Eppes VI. Thomas Grange was named after the cir- Castlewood was heritage. Built as a replica of the Jefferson, Eppes’ cle of magnolia trees that once completed sometime 1750 courthouse, the Chesterfield brother-in-law, was a graced its front lawn. Noted for between 1817 and County Museum is located direct- frequent visitor. its distinctive architecture, 1819 and features a ly behind the Historic 1917 When their father-in- Magnolia Grange contains elabo- formal, five-part Courthouse. Its collections tell the history of Chesterfield law died, Monticello slaves like Sally Hemings lived and rate ceiling medallions and design that differs from any other recorded Virginia County from prehistoric times through the 21st century. worked at Eppington while Jefferson was Minister to sophisticated carvings on mantels, dwelling. Its unique architecture consists of a two-story, The Old Jail, adjacent to the museum, was built in 1892 and housed prisoners for 70 years. The upstairs, with its France. Later, it was at Eppington that Jefferson received doorways and window frames. gable-fronted central block flanked by slightly different 1 President George Washington’s invitation to become the Today, the house is home to arti- wings, each 1 ⁄2 stories high. Castlewood features molded original iron-barred cells, has been virtually unchanged nation’s first Secretary of State. Admission is free. facts that interpret life at a country plantation during the plaster ceilings in the main rooms, two stairways to each since last housing prisoners in 1962. Historical exhibits from 14600 Eppes Falls Road. 19th century. of the adjacent wings, and beautifully carved mantels with the county’s Police and Fire and Emergency Medical Hours: Open to small tour groups by reservation 10020 Iron Bridge Road King of Prussia marble surrounds. The house currently Services departments are displayed downstairs. only. Details: 748-1624 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to tour groups by serves as the headquarters for the Chesterfield Historical 6813 Mimms Loop reservation only. Society and houses the Historical Society’s research library Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to tour groups by reservation Details: 748-1498 and offices. only. Iron Bridge Road. Details: 777-9663 Details: 768-7311 1607 1612 1614 1619 1622 1709 1795 1803 1811 1812 1831 1862 1921 1934 Sir Christopher Newport Tobacco was first cultivat- Bermuda Hundred was Falling Creek was the Mount Malady, near Midlothian produced Bosher's Dam, near the Midlothian Turnpike The first commercial The first school for deaf The Midlothian to Corporal John B Mackie Father's day was origi- The first wayside park in explored the James and ed scientifically in incorporated as the first site of the first iron fur- Dutch Gap, was the the first commercially community of Bon Air, was the first paved tramway in America, the mutes in the United Manchester Railroad won the first Marine nated by three ladies Virginia featured the Appomattox Rivers America at Bermuda town in America. nace in the New World site of the first mined coal in America. was the first large road in Virginia. predecessor of the rail- States was located at was the first in Virginia. Corps Medal of Honor from Drewry's Bluff. Old Stone Bridge over along the Chesterfield Hundred by John Rolfe, American hospital. multi-purpose dam in roads, ran from the Cobbs on the lower to be awarded for his Falling Creek, complet- borders five days before husband of Virginia. Brown, Page and Burr Appomattox River. brave and courageous ed in 1826. Jamestown was settled Pocahontas. gunpowder plant on conduct on board the Falling Creek to its storage USS Galena during the magazine a mile away. May 1862 battle of Chesterfield County Firsts Drewry's Bluff..
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