The Historic Richmond Region Lots of Diversity. Lots to Love. Be Our Guest Table of Contents

n behalf of our respective organizations, we would like to invite you to Introduction 4 visit the Richmond Region. This is our home and we’re eager to open our O doors to you. African American 6 Although the specific traditions vary, every culture has its own way of conveying American Indian 8 that its guests are important, whether it’s the Indian belief that, “The guest is god” or the Spanish saying of “Mi casa, su casa.” Sure, not everyone would be thrilled to East Asian 10 receive the delicacy of a fish head as would be the case for an honored visitor in a Chinese home, but the idea remains the same and transcends cultures: guests are to Indian 12 be treasured and they should always receive the best one has to offer. You’ll certainly find that feeling alive and well here in the Richmond Region. And Jewish 14 even though the area is increasingly home to a diverse population with different Hispanic 16 customs, we all—both old and new—still have more than a bit of that famous Southern hospitality to share. A Multitude of Multicultural Things To Do 18 We like the Richmond Region enough to call it home. Now we’d love to have y’all be our guests! (And if you don’t like fish heads, maybe we can whip up our favorite So Much More To Do 23 pecan pie for you!) Multicultural Events Calendar 25

Tinh duc Phan Other Notable Events 30 Founder/CEO Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce Ethnic Dining 32 With members from 37 ethnic origins, Hanover-based VACC helps Asian Visitor Information 33 businesses to compete in the global marketplace with strategic research, guidance and connections. Regional Attractions Map 34 Oliver R. Singleton

President The Historic Richmond Region Metropolitan Business League Lots of Diversity. Lots to Love. On the cover top to bottom: Kings Dominion The MBL promotes minority entrepeneurs in the Richmond Region and works to (Jackson Smith), Carytown (Jeff Greenberg) ensure minority participation in mainstream business activity at the local and and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. national levels. On the back cover: Canal boats.

Get Swept Up by the Michel Zajur Richmond Region’s cultures.

401 N. 3rd Street, Richmond, VA 23219 1-888-RICHMOND Founder/CEO Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Editor: Katherine OÕDonnell The VHCC exists to empower Hispanics in the Virginia business community by building economic, social and cultural bridges between Virginia and its growing ©2008 Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau Hispanic community.

2 3 Left: The James RiverÕs Class IV rapids run alongside downtown. Get Swept Up by the Top: A myriad of bridges cross the James uniting the Richmond Region. Richmond Region

ondon famously hugs the River Archaeology shows that the James one of the earliest declarations of historically meant a regular flow of Thames. Paris straddles the has been bringing people together the acceptance of diversity and a new and different visitors from all L Seine. Rome lies along the for as long as there were people to be forerunner to the Bill of Rights. over. Located only 100 miles south of Washington, D.C. and midway between iconic Tiber. brought together, facilitating ancient As the Region has evolved—from Atlanta and Boston, it’s easy to get here Cities—and indeed whole civiliza- trade along the river. More recently, barges to locomotives to the recently and easy to navigate once you’re here. tions—have habitually clustered around the James carried barrels of precious expanded airport—new residents and rivers because the location connects tobacco leaf from isolated farms in new cultures have arrived to call it Pack your bags, get swept up by them to the world. A river gives a city a Appalachia to the commercial hub of home. For centuries, the area has been the culture—and cultures—of the way to bring in goods and transport its Richmond. From the city’s endless rows home to American Indians, African River City and discover why everyone own to distant markets. In the process, of warehouses, it might then make its Americans and one of the country’s says that the Richmond Region is the tides of trade bring in people from way to Philadelphia or New York—or to oldest Jewish populations. Yet, an Easy to love! near and far. the docks in London, Paris or Rome. interconnected world has led to an even richer mix with more recent With myriad bridges and its his- Much like those cities—and because arrivals in Hispanic, East Asian and toric canal system, the Richmond of the same tides of trade—the Indian populations. Region—the City of Richmond and the Richmond Region has always been a . surrounding counties of Chesterfield, cultured meeting place with a diversity In addition to a diversity of DAMS

of people. Indeed, it was here where Y A Hanover, Henrico and New Kent—has A permanent residents, the Richmond Y J B Jefferson and Madison created the O always benefited from its association T Region also benefits from its long- HO

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, P E

with the stately James River. IN standing central location that has L Y SK ITY C

4 5 African American

oday at the corner of First and Marshall Streets is T the headquarters of the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. On the surface, it’s just another downtown bank. But it got Jackson Ward, known as the birthplace of black capitalism and the Harlem of the South, its start in 1903 as the St. Luke Penny is home to outstanding ironwork and architecture. Bank, the first financial institution in the United States founded and led by finest entertainers. Here too, on s (ENRICO #OUNTY "RANCH a woman. However, in a time when neighborhood playgrounds, began www.henriconaacp.org it was exceptional to find female the career of Arthur Ashe, winner s (ANOVER #OUNTY "RANCH business leaders, the dynamic founder, of the U.S. Open and Wimbledon www.hcbnaacp.org Maggie Walker, also stood out as an tennis championships and a noted s 2ICHMOND "RANCH African American bank president. Personally speaking ... humanitarian. In the area’s courtrooms (804) 644-9337 What began as a small-scale local “Though not a native Richmonder, I began the career of renowned civil lending institution that served Virginia Minority Supplier have moved here twice—once in the rights attorney, Oliver Hill. And it Development Council Richmond’s large African American late ‘60s and again after 15 years of was here that America finally got its www.vmsdc.org community has grown and persisted. living elsewhere, returning with my first African American governor, the Consolidated Bank and Trust family to help start and sustain a Honorable L. Douglas Wilder. Media Company is now the oldest continually 15-year old business, the Richmond In the Richmond Region, you’ll African American-operated bank in Richmond Free Press Free Press. the country. do more than learn about African www.richmondfreepress.com Richmond is a place with pockets of American history. Here you’ll walk in The Richmond Region counts Soul of Virginia remarkable natural beauty—tree-lined the footsteps of leaders from Walker to more than 350,000 African American www.soulofvirginia.com streets and neighborhoods—many Wilder. Here you’ll feel that history. residents—more than the entire city The Voice Newspaper where pride abundantly shows. It is a of St. Louis. Of course, the African www.voicenewspaper.com place where, for so many, family life Did you know? American story in the Richmond matters—a great deal. WBTJ 106.5 Mainstream/Urban Region is a long and complicated As part of an international project, www.1065thebeat.com Richmond often has more leisure one , going back to the earliest days Richmond’s Slavery Reconciliation WCDX-FM 92.1 Mainstream/Urban activity than there is leisure time; of Richmond and the Virginia colony. Statue is linked to identical memorials www.power921jamz.com and it is a place where business gets And while the Region is what it is in Liverpool, England, as well as the WKJM-FM 99.3 Urban Adult transacted. With determination and today largely because of the unsung Republic of Benin in Africa. Contemporary men and women who helped build it, good will, progress is evident. www.yestokiss.com in many ways, the Richmond Region It is city where one can become a Organizations WKJS-FM 105.7 Urban Adult is exceptional because stories like part of the solution, for today and for Contemporary Urban League of Greater Maggie Walker and the St. Luke Bank www.yestokiss.com future generations.” Richmond, Inc. are so common. —Jean Patterson Boone www.urbanleaguerichmond.org WPZZ-FM 104.7 Gospel www.praise1047.com Vice President, Paradigm Communications . It was here, for example, where Advertising Director, Richmond Free Press Richmond Metropolitan BERG Bill Robinson—better known by his N Business League WROU-AM 1240 News/Talk REE G www.thembl.com and S olid Gold Oldies

stage name, Bojangles—achieved his EFF

Y J http://newstalk1240wrou.com B

O early successes that helped catapult T NAACP HO him to fame as one of the country’s P s Virginia State Conference WARD N www.virginianaacp.org JACKSO

6 7 American Indian

o group can claim deeper roots in the Richmond Region and NVirginia than the American Indians who have been living here for more than 15,000 years. When the English arrived, the area today known as the Richmond Region was border territory between the Monacan confederacy of the Piedmont and the Algonquians of the Coastal Plain. Most of the latter were part of the paramount chiefdom controlled by the great leader Powhatan. Pocahontas, Powhatan’s A young tribe member performs at a pow-wow. daughter, lived in the area’s first town,

Henricus, where she married tobacco Various tribes hold pow-wows each spring. planter John Rolfe. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes Today, the Commonwealth of still live on the reservations granted to Virginia formally recognizes eight them in the 17th century. Each year, in Organizations American Indian tribes, whose a public ceremony held in November, Virginia Council on Indians ancestors and cultural connections the tribes honor the 350-year-old www.indians.vipnet.org can be traced directly to groups treaties by presenting gifts of game to documented to have been living the Governor. A number of the tribes Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life (VITAL) hold major pow-wows annually in May. in Virginia in 1607 at the time of www.vitalva.org initial English colonization. Those Chickahominy Tribe tribes are the Chickahominy, Eastern Did you know? www.chickahominytribe.org Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan, Nansemond, Pamunkey, Rappahannock In 2007, the Legislature amended Eastern Chickahominy Tribe www.cied.org and Upper Mattaponi. the Code of Virginia to state that Virginia “recognizes the continuous Mattaponi Tribe contributions of the Indian tribal www.baylink.org/mattaponi Personally speaking ... nations to the Commonwealth’s history Monacan Indian Nation and culture and hereby reaffirms www.monacannation.com “The James River is one of the best the spirit and intent of the original rivers for catfish fishing, striper fishing Nansemond Tribe treaties between the Tribes and the www.nansemond.org and small mouth bass fishing in the British Crown in 1646 and 1677 and world! Anyone who wants to flyfish can Pamunkey Tribe shall operate, to the extent permitted wade the river downtown. There are www.baylink.org/pamunkey by the United States Constitution, in 30-40 pound rockfish at the rapids, and Rappahannock Tribe accordance with that spirit.” . catfish go up to 80-90 pounds. Drifting www.rappahannocktribe.org

WEKELO the James River in a raft or a canoe or

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just a john boat from Goochland on www.uppermattaponi.org down is just a beautiful, beautiful area ADAMS N BE

T to drift.”

Explore Native American life at Henricus Historical Park. CEP X E – Ben Adams, Upper Mattaponi OS T PHO

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8 9 East Asian

s befits a group of more than were only three Laotian families; 30,000 people from more now he alone has repaid the favor A than a dozen nationalities, by sponsoring more than a dozen there are many stories that explain families. Although the nations and why the Richmond Region’s East Asian circumstances may have changed, population has settled here. Generally, it is a cross-community tradition it is a new group of arrivals with many that continues today. In many cases, having been born abroad; most have the bonds between the sponsor and only come to Richmond in the last the new arrivals—many of whom 20 to 30 years. In many cases, the now run their own successful small decision was partly due to the Region’s businesses—have remained strong affordability, quality of life and its decades after the first meeting. moderate climate. Some of the first Chinese residents opened restaurants serving their native cuisine and their Enjoy a sampling of culture, dance and food at the Asian American Celebration. experiences in the area pulled in friends and relatives. Friends and family Did you know? Korean American Society attracting and supporting others is a of Greater Richmond www.aasov.org/korean/index.html recurring theme among the Region’s Unique among Asian organizations various East Asian communities. Of on the Eastern Seaboard, the Asian- Laotian Community course, those family ties were not always American Society of Central Virginia [email protected] between blood relatives and, in many acts as an umbrella organization Organization of Chinese cases, support came from friends who’d that unites 18 of the area’s Asian Americans never met one another. nationalities. www.oca-cvc.org Richmond Chinese School For example, when the Region’s [email protected] Vietnamese citizens were spurred Personally speaking ... Organizations Richmond Korean School to leave their homeland because of Virginia Asian Chamber www.aasov.org/korean/index.html war, they needed friends across the “Richmond is a welcoming community. of Commerce globe who would offer safe haven Many immigrants and refugees from www.aabac.org Richmond Vietnamese Association and support. Beginning around 1975, around the world started their new Asian American Society www.hoinguoivietrichmondva.org many came to call Richmond and the lives in the Richmond Region. They of Central Virginia surrounding area home because of have contributed to the economic www.aasocv.org Thai Community www.aasocv.org the altruism of native Richmonders growth and cultural diversity of this Bangladeshi American who sponsored them individually area. I truly enjoy all of the year-round Organization of Central Virginia The Rose Group www.baocv.com or through churches or other civic multicultural festivals, museums, www.therosegroup.org organizations. It was much the same ethnic markets and variety of inter- Filipino-American Association of Virginia Asian Advisory Board Central Virginia for Simon Rinthalukay who emigrated national restaurants in Richmond.” . www.vaab.virginia.gov www.faacv.org WEKELO from Laos in 1979 and settled in – Suwattana Sugg AL Y

Refugee and Immigration Services B Japan Virginia Society

Richmond because of the sponsorship O

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TI Asian Fortune News When he arrived, he recalls that there Khmer Society www.asianfortunenews.com

CELEBRA www.khmersociety.org N CA I Dominion Asia Review

AMER www.aabac.org N A I AS

10 11 Indian

t is unlikely that The Diamond, Indian subcontinent, the flat bat is no the Richmond Region’s minor longer so uncommon. The Richmond I league baseball stadium that Region’s half dozen upper-level cricket seats 12,000, will soon switch from teams, composed largely of Indians the traditional American pastime to as well as Pakistanis, may not play at the more Britannic batting game of the level of Dravid or Tendulkar, but cricket. However, while seeing bowlers they do compete in the Mid-Atlantic and batters was a rarity in the Region Cricket Conference along with teams until only a few years ago, thanks throughout the Southeast. Another to a wave of emigration from the dozen teams compete at a lower, more recreational level. Watching games from the grassy sidelines, you might not realize that Virginia has now turned the table on history. After all, the European colonists who populated early Virginia The Richmond RegionÕs cricket teams compete in the Mid-Atlantic Cricket Conference. still had a hope of finding a passage to India as Columbus had envisioned— but now there’s a part of India in Did you know? Pakistani American Society of Central Virginia Virginia. And, the portion of India that The Hindu Center of Virginia’s first www.aasocv.org now calls the Richmond Region home fundraiser was a Ravi Shankar concert Richmond Kannada Sangha is nearly as diverse as the subcontinent held at the Mosque Theater—now www.richmondkannadasangha.org is, with a vibrant population that spans Personally speaking ... known as the Landmark Theater— from Bengalis to Gujaratis to Tamils Richmond Tamil Sangam in 1976. www.richmondtamilsangam.com “Arriving in Richmond 40 years ago and most ethnicities in between. from Kolkata, India, I discovered a city Sikh Association of Much of the Region’s Indian Central Virginia of enormous charm and grace. The Organizations population—and its cricket—is based www.richmondgurdwara.org rich architecture and attractions like in the West End of Henrico County India Association of Virginia Maymont, the Virginia Museum of near the large corporations where www.iava.us Fine Arts and a host of other offerings many Indians now work. And while Cultural Center of India inspired me to make Richmond my many of the Richmond Region’s www.geocities.com/ccihall/ permanent home. People accepted and Indians immigrated specifically for . Hindu Center of Virginia

welcomed me as they would a native WEKELO jobs in the technology or medical www.hinducenterofvirginia.org AL Y B son. These first impressions have not sectors, others began working in O T Greater Richmond

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number of annual festivals, as well as Y Greater Richmond Telugu B

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ethnic groups and sangams. CKE I CR

12 13 Jewish

lthough the Jewish scholar and eventually opened storefronts. Dr. Jacob Marcus would say Some of these such as Thalhimer’s— A that no Jew was ever the first begun on Main Street in 1842—became Jew anywhere, it is believed that the large Southern department stores. first Jewish settler in Richmond, Isaiah Another wave of newcomers, this time Isaacs, put down roots in 1769. Along from Eastern Europe, began in the with Revolutionary War veteran Jacob 1880s. The area also became a haven for I. Cohen, the two formed a partnership. Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and, later in They opened a dry goods shop known the 1990s, as a home for resettled Soviet across Virginia as “the Jews’ store,” Jews. Today the Richmond Region is they engaged in land speculation in home to seven synagogues, the very Kentucky—employing Daniel Boone active Carole and Marcus Weinstein to do survey work for them—and they Jewish Community Center, and the owned The Bird in Hand, possibly the Virginia Holocaust Museum. first inn and tavern in Richmond. The Beth Ahabah Synagogue is adjacent to its museum and archives. One of the oldest Jewish communities in America, Richmond was one of only Did you know? The Farbreng Inn Kosher six communities—including Newport, Conference & Retreat Center Savannah, Charleston, Philadelphia and A special section of the Hebrew www.farbrenginn.com New York City—to draft a congratulatory Cemetery in Richmond—the oldest Jewish Community Federation note to George Washington when active Jewish cemetery in the South— of Richmond www.jewishrichmond.org he became President. As with contains the graves of 30 Jewish other immigrants to early America, Confederate soldiers who died in or Jewish Family Services Virginia’s Jews came seeking economic near Richmond. It is believed to be www.jfsrichmond.org opportunities and a chance to practice the only exclusively Jewish military Keneseth Beth Israel (Orthodox) their own religion free from persecution. burying ground outside of Israel. http://kbirichmond.org Colonial laws didn’t give Jews the same Richmond Jewish Foundation rights as Christians, but many reported Organizations www.rjfoundation.net that they seemed as equals due to the Personally speaking ... Temple Beth El (Conservative) democratizing effect of the Virginia Chabad-Lubavitch of the Virginias (Lubavitch) www.bethelrichmond.org frontier. The enactment of the Statute “One of Richmond’s greatest assets is www.chabadofva.org Weinstein JCC for Religious Freedoms in 1786 solidified the rich sense of tradition throughout www.weinsteinjcc.org the community’s freedom to worship as the community. Driving down Congregation Beth Ahabah (Reform) Monument Avenue or walking through they pleased. www.bethahabah.org the historic neighborhoods in the Fan Media Until the 1840s brought an influx or visiting one of the many museums Congregation Kol Emes/Young Israel of German Ashkenazi Jews, Virginia’s of Richmond (Orthodox) Virginia Jewish News enhances this perspective. Exploring www.virginiajewishnews.com Jewish community followed Sephardic TIN. www.geocities.com/kolemes

Richmond creates a real appreciation MAR traditions. And whereas the original N The Reflector

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Jews were to be found in many jobs BRA www.or-ami.com Y B – Jordan Shenker O and professions, many of the new T Executive Director, Weinstein JCC Congregation Or Atid (Conservative) PHO immigrants began as street peddlers www.oratid.org AHABAH

H T BE

14 15 Hispanic

n the late 1950s and 1960s, a small number of Cubans began to settle I in the Richmond Region. From this small pocket, the Region’s Hispanic population now officially numbers close to 40,000, having more than quadrupled since 1990. However, estimates of the actual population place it perhaps higher than 100,000. After the Cubans, the Region became home to Central Americans— particularly from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras—during the 1980s, and the last five years have seen a dramatic Personally speaking ... Hispanic culture thrives in the Richmond Region. increase in Mexicans, many of whom “Born in Cuba and forced to leave to have come as a result of the Region’s seek freedom, I appreciate the privilege building boom. The Region also counts of living in a society where I can in 2004, the City of Richmond created Organizations many South Americans including raise my children and teach them the the Hispanic Liaison Office to serve Columbians, Venezuelans, Peruvians, value of dreaming and the rewards the area’s Hispanics. A variety of Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ecuadorians and Bolivians—as well community organizations and events of achieving. It’s easy to fall in love www.vahcc.com as many second- and third-generation with Richmond where diversity is such as the Virginia Hispanic Chamber City of Richmond’s Hispanic Puerto Ricans. welcomed and embraced. It is a region of Commerce, based in Chesterfield Liaison Office As many of the area’s Hispanics rich in history, heritage, hospitality and County, and the annual ¿Qué Pasa? www.richmondgov.com/departments/humanservices/ have come from a country where the charm. Whether enjoying the majestic Festival of Virginia highlight the growing hispanicliaison nation’s capital was the biggest city that columns at the State Capitol, St. John’s importance of the Region’s Hispanic offered the most opportunity, in many Church in Church Hill, the museums community. Media cases they initially gravitated towards along the Boulevard, Magnolia Grange Nuevas Raíces newspaper Northern Virginia and the nation’s in Chesterfield, or the City’s impressive Did you know? www.nuevasraices.com capital. However, because the Richmond institutions of higher education, the Region offers a more tranquil and Region’s coveted sites tell a magnificent The Richmond Region has four Hispanic Horizontes newspaper (804) 745-1241 affordable lifestyle (as well as a strong story and enhance the natural beauty soccer leagues with dozens of teams economy), many Hispanics have settled of the landscape.” of mixed nationalities. While it has La Voz Hispana de Virginia magazine been commonplace for top level Central (804) 437-3790 here versus D.C.—or even New York —Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D. or Miami—finding it a great place to Executive Director and Associate Professor American soccer teams like El Salvador’s Centro de Richmond newspaper raise a family. They now call Richmond John Tyler Community College Foundation Deportivo Fas and Gautamala’s www.centrovirginia.com Communicaciones to stop in the D.C. home for a variety of reasons. Some WVNZ Selecta 1320

. area, they now include Richmond have become enmeshed in the Region’s A number of religious organizations www.selecta1320.com

WEKELO on their North American tours, even institutes of higher learning while others

in the Richmond Region maintain AL WBTK Poder 1380 Y B

playing local Hispanic all-star teams. have come from Central America to do O strong ties with Latin America—sending T www.wbtk.com PHO research work at Philip Morris. numerous missions each year—and RE WTOX La Equis 1480 TU L U C www.laequis1480.com C NI SPA I H

16 17 A Multitude of Multicultural Things to Do

njoy the Region’s diverse multicultural attractions. Find E more information about each online at www.VisitRichmondVa.com. For locations, refer to the map on page 34.

American Civil War Center At Historic Tredegar The American Civil War Center takes Elegba Folklore Society presents traditional African dance. a new approach to explaining the Civil War—that is to say it takes three Bojangles to keep children safe in his Henricus Historical Park approaches. The first museum of its native community. kind, the center highlights Union, Established in 1611, Henricus was The Arthur Ashe statue is on Monument Avenue. Confederate and African American “Box” Brown Memorial the first place where tobacco was points of view. Opened in 2006, the grown to be sold in Europe, the Born into slavery in 1815, Henry Brown museum uses interactive, family- Black History Museum and second successful English settlement became a celebrity because of his bold friendly exhibits to convey how the Cultural Center of Virginia in the New World and the residence escape to freedom in 1849. The 5’8” war affected all people. Founded in 1981, the museum is of Pocahontas who married tobacco Brown who weighed 200 pounds had www.tredegar.org, (804) 780-1865 located in the historic Jackson Ward planter John Rolfe. Every day, himself nailed into a 2’ 8” x 2’ x 3’ box district. It seeks to be a permanent costumed interpreters bring an early that was shipped from Richmond to Arthur Ashe Statue repository and statewide resource for American Indian village to life and Philadelphia disguised as dry goods. visual, oral and written records and also portray early English settlers. In The Richmond Region is famous Over the course of the 26-hour journey, artifacts commemorating the lives and addition, special events and programs for its grand statues on Monument Brown was sometimes placed upside accomplishments of African Americans are offered throughout the year. Avenue. The first to be erected since down, but he emerged upbeat. A life- in Virginia. The African American www.henricus.org, (804) 706-1340 1929 commemorates Richmond native size replica of the box is on the Canal Heritage Walking Tour starts at the Arthur Ashe as a humanitarian, scholar Walk. In his later life, Brown dedicated museum and covers a number of other and athlete. himself to the anti-slavery movement. www.richmondgov.com/visitor/arthurashe.aspx nearby attractions. www.blackhistorymuseum.org, (804) 780-9093 Elegba Folklore Society Beth Ahabah Museum Elegba offers a variety of cultural arts Bojangles Statue and Archives programs with a focus on the various The museum adjacent to the Beth Located at the corner of Adams and strands of African American culture. West Leigh Streets in Jackson Ward, Ahabah synagogue collects, preserves . Interpretive tours of unmarked sites and interprets the history and culture the statue not only commemorates

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www.elegbafolkloresociety.org, (804) 644-3900 S U C Southern Jewish experience. the city’s first traffic light, a gift from I R N www.bethahabah.org/bama, (804) 353-2668 HE Henricus Historical Park provides hands-on history.

18 19 A Multitude of Multicultural Things to Do (continued)

market. The statue, which depicts two Jackson Ward including the Asian Valley which people melded in an embrace, is linked to similar memorials in Liverpool, celebrates the sacredness of nature. Prior to the 1860s, the 40-block England and Benin in Africa. Within this garden are plants native community of Jackson Ward was a www.reconciliationtriangle.org melting pot of nationalities, including to East Asia which are adaptive free African Americans and immigrants to conditions in the Mid-Atlantic Richmond National Battlefield from Germany and Ireland. Known and Southeastern United States. It Civil War Visitor Center incorporates the spirit of Asian garden as the birthplace of black capitalism, Encompassing more than 1,400 acres, from the 1920s through 1960s it earned design with dramatic tree forms and the Civil War battlefield sites paint the title of “the Harlem of the South.” cascading water. a picture of the numerous defining One of the Richmond Region’s National www.lewisginter.org, (804) 262-9887 battles in the Richmond Region and also highlight the 14 African American Historic Districts, Jackson Ward boasts Library of Virginia soldiers who earned the Congressional beautiful architecture and some of the Enjoy exquisite dance from the Latin Ballet. Medal of Honor for gallantry in action. most impressive decorative ironwork As the library and archival agency Maggie L. Walker National www.nps.gov/rich, (804) 226-1981 outside of New Orleans. of the state and the government’s principal reference library, the Library Historic Site Richmond Slave Trail Latin Ballet of Virginia of Virginia contains a wealth of The National Park Service maintains this site to honor the life and legacy The Richmond Slave Trail chronicles Through its compelling performances, information about the state’s history of a progressive and talented African the history of the trade of enslaved the ballet company preserves and and can be a treasure trove for American woman who achieved Africans to Virginia. Begin at the genealogists. In addition, the library promotes Latin American and Spanish national prominence in the early Manchester Docks. produces a number of exhibits which cultures and spreads the joy and love 20th century as a businesswoman (804) 646-3012 of life through the common language have included topics such as Virginia and community leader. Restored to its of dance. Roots Music, Understanding 400 1930s appearance, Walker’s residence Sixth Mount Zion www.latinballet.com, (804) 379-2555 Years of Virginia History, Virginia’s of 30 years details not only her life but Baptist Church also the community in which she lived Coal Towns, and Brown v. Board of In 1867 the church began in abandoned Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Education: Virginia Responds. and worked. horse stables, but since 1869 the active www.nps.gov/malw, (804) 771-2017 The site offers year-round beauty with www.lva.lib.va.us, (804) 692-3500 congregation has met at the same its 40 acres of spectacular gardens location. The church’s original leader, Maymont John Jasper, became one of the nation’s The house and grounds of Maymont most well known African American RichmondÕs Reconciliation Statue is one of three worldwide. are beautifully preserved examples of ministers of his time; he gave his famous “Sun Do Move” sermon more Gilded Age living. Maymont’s wealthy than 250 times and attracted standing- owners, the Dooleys, purchased the room-only black and white audiences. most costly evergreens from all parts www.smzbc.org, (804) 648-7511 of the world—many of which are still found in the park’s 100 acres. Also Virginia Civil Rights Memorial meticulously maintained today are The Virginia Civil Rights Memorial, the spectacular Italian Garden and the located in front of the Governor’s Japanese Garden with its thick stands Mansion in Capitol Square, tells the

TIN. of bamboo. A new exhibit, In Service

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T April 1951. The monument depicts the S N O

TI walkout, Oliver W. Hill and Spottswood A I L I Reconciliation Statue C N Robinson III who tried the case, the The Richmond Slavery Reconciliation RECO Reverend Leslie Francis Griffin, and a Statue and Plaza was erected in March 2007 not far from the former slave vision for racial harmony in the future. 20 21 A Multitude of Multicultural Things to Do (continued)

Virginia Historical Society So Much More To Do The society collects, preserves and interprets Virginia’s past for the Kings Dominion Performing Arts education and enjoyment of Sit back and enjoy the show. Richmond present and future generations. A 400-acre theme park, Kings Ballet is the first professional ballet Exhibits include Virginians at Work Dominion is home to more than 40 company in Virginia. With dancers and The Story of Virginia. rides, shows and attractions. The park from around the country and the world, www.vahistorical.org, (804) 358-4901 features 14 world-class roller coasters, making it one of the largest coaster the ballet performs throughout the year Virginia Holocaust Museum collections on the East Coast. There in addition to the annual Nutcracker. The Richmond Symphony entertains Covering a wide array of experiences are also two children’s areas and approximately 125,000 patrons each of the Holocaust, the museum gives WaterWorks, a 20-acre water park. year, performing both contemporary visitors a sense of what it was like www.kingsdominion.com The Virginia Historical Society presents Virginians at Work. and traditional symphonic repertoires to live through Kristallnacht, the James River and Canal Walk that draw on classical, gospel, jazz Dachau concentration camp and the building during the latter part and popular music. Guest artists have Displaced Persons Camps. Because It’s little wonder that the River City has of her life. included Aretha Franklin, Marvin of the disturbing nature of some a park system that includes nearly 450 www.varfoundation.org, (804) 261-5029 Hamlisch, Itzhak Perlman and André of the displays, the museum is not acres lining both banks of the James Watts. The Virginia Opera is known recommended for children under 11. Virginia State University River. The river is popular for rafting, boating, fishing, kayaking and hiking. and respected nationwide for the www.va-holocaust.com, (804) 257-5400 Begun as the Virginia Normal and A recent $52-million restoration of the musical and dramatic integrity of Collegiate Institute in 1882, VSU was Canal Walk includes restaurants and its productions. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts the first fully state supported, four- nightclubs and canal boat rides. www.richmondballet.com, www.richmondsymphony.com The VMFA houses a remarkable year institution of higher learning for www.vaopera.org permanent collection of more than www.richmondgov.com/departments/parks African Americans in the country. Until www.venturerichmond.com 20,000 works of art from almost every 1992, the university’s first president, major world culture. The museum’s John Mercer Langston (great-uncle Thrillseekers will love Kings Dominion. holdings of South Asian, Himalayan of Langston Hughes), was the only and African art are among the finest African American ever elected to the in the nation. In addition, the museum United States Congress from Virginia. has noteworthy collections of Art www.vsu.edu, (804) 524-5000 Nouveau, Art Deco, Contemporary American, as well as French Virginia Union University Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Founded among the old slave buildings art. Visitors also make a point of of Lumpkin’s Jail, VUU has served as a seeing the popular Lillian Thomas historically African American institute Pratt Collection of Fabergé eggs—the of higher education since 1865. One largest collection outside of Russia. of the first graduates, Pastor Richard www.vmfa.museum, (804) 340-1400 Wells, led the first known civil rights . H

protest march. The Museum Galleries IT SM Virginia Randolph Museum at VUU include collections of masks, N

Built in 1937, the museum has the sculpture, instruments and paintings JACKSO Y B

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Virginia Randolph Education Center. www.vuu.edu, (804) 257-5600 WORK T A Randolph, an innovative black educator S N A in vocational training, kept an office in INI RG I V

22 23 So Much More To Do (continued)

Wineries You don’t need to go far from the Multicultural Events Region’s urban areas to sample Virginia wine fresh from the vine. Calendar From merlot to cabernet franc, find it at the nearby James River Winery or New Kent Vineyards. t’s not every day that you can partake March www.virginiawines.org in a cultural festival in the Richmond Region—but it’s close. Check for Speakers Series I Church Hill Irish Festival specific dates and more information at Irish musicians, bagpipers, dancers and The Richmond Region hosts a number www.VisitRichmondVa.com. of renowned speakers in the form of more descend on the Region’s Church the Richmond Forum, World Affairs January Hill neighborhood for this annual weekend-after-St.-Patrick’s- Day event. Council and JCC Forum. Recent Hanover Tavern is home to a museum, theater and restaurant. www.saintpatrickchurchhill.org speakers have included Robert Redford, VUU vs. VSU Freedom Rudolph Giuliani and Archbishop Professional Sports Classic Festival Sister for Sister Conference Desmond Tutu. In addition to NASCAR and Indy Racing Rivals Virginia State University and www.richmondforum.org, www.richmondworld.org Boasting nationally acclaimed speakers www.weinsteinjcc.org League at the Richmond International Virginia Union University compete and presenters, the Sister for Sister Raceway, the Richmond Region’s in one of the premier collegiate Conference is an energizing and More Museums minor league professional sports teams basketball contests in the region. The anticipated conference for women on The Richmond Region has a rich include the Renegades hockey team festival is designed to acknowledge the East Coast. history with dozens of diverse and the Kickers, an A-League affiliate and commemorate the life and legacy www.sisterforsister.com museums dedicated to it—from the of Major League Soccer’s DC United of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Valentine Richmond History Center and Tampa Bay Mutiny. occurs annually on Dr. King’s birthday VCU French Film Festival to the John Marshall House, Old www.rir.com, www.rrenegades.com, weekend. More than 15,000 guests Virginia Commonwealth University’s www.richmondkickers.com Dominion Railway Museum and enjoy the numerous festival events annual event at the Byrd Theater—a including a showcase of regional Edgar Allan Poe Museum. But there’s Shopping and Galleries lavish local landmark that opened in so much more including the expansive gospel talent. 1928—is the largest French film festival Whether it’s small boutiques or Science Museum of Virginia, Hanover www.freedomclassic.com in the United States. Held at the end of big malls and national brands, the Tavern and the Virginia Aviation March or beginning of April, it attracts Richmond Region has something for Museum, to name a few. an astounding 17,000 entries for its everyone. Alongside boutiques in www.VisitRichmondVa.com selective list of 24 films. The festival Carytown are numerous art galleries. brings directors and actors to present More galleries abound along Broad and discuss their films. Street near the artistic hub of Virginia www.frenchÞlm.vcu.edu Commonwealth University and its art program. The art scene is supported by regular art walks: Third Thursdays, First Fridays and Fourth Fridays. www.VisitRichmondVa.com, www.retailmerchants.com TIN. AR N M DO N RA Y B B

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Short Pump Town Center is the RegionÕs largest H open-air upscale shopping center.

24 25 often in concert with other tribes— Taste of India a large annual gathering is organized The Cultural Center of India puts India by VITAL, the Virginia Indian on display to show its culture, cuisine, Tribal Alliance for Life, in Charles handicrafts and music. Visitors can City County. taste diverse foods from all over the www.vitalva.org country—from North Indian samosas to South Indian dosa pancakes as well Fridays at Sunset as chicken curry, a variety of Indian Beginning in May and running breads, traditional Indian chai, a host through August at Kanawha Plaza, of desserts and varieties of Indian beer. Fridays at Sunset is one of the East Dancers at the Lebanese Food Festival. www.geocities.com/ccihall/ Coast’s premier summer concert series. Boasting previous artists such August as Natalie Cole, The Roots and Chaka Lebanese Food Festival Khan, Fridays at Sunset brings some of April Down Home Family Reunion Enjoy food, music, folk dancing and the best R&B, Jazz, Reggae and Neo- This extravaganza brings in a lot of Asia Blooms in the Garden at other activities at this outdoor festival Soul artists to the Region each year. “family” as some 25,000 people come Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden that routinely draws thousands from www.fridaysatsunset.com to celebrate African American folk Take a guided tour with a cultural central Virginia. life. Nearly 20 years old, the reunion interpreter, try tai chi, watch Asian folk www.stanthonymaronitechurch.org June demonstrates how cultural traditions dances and learn the art of ikebana of West Africa have influenced the floral arrangement during this event. Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Juneteenth lifestyles of African Americans and www.lewisginter.org Held on Brown’s Island, this event is The Freedom Celebration commem- the American South. less about an 1862 battle in Mexico orates the Juneteenth holiday by www.efsinc.org Punjabi Mela and more about taking in a full music remembering the impact of the African lineup and enjoying the Region’s early The Punjabi Mela is a festival to slave trade and its legacy in Virginia. September promote the language, art, culture and May weather. A family event, it features perform- literature of Punjabis, people who hail www.brownsisland.com ances, speakers, ceremonies, exhibi- ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Virginia from the Punjab region of Northern tors, historic reenactments and special Greek Food Festival India and Pakistan. children’s activities. ¿Qué Pasa? translates as, “What’s www.punjabimela.org This popular gathering at St. Constantine www.efsinc.org Happening?” At this outdoor event and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral that celebrates the Region’s Hispanic features Greek dancing and cultural exhi- community, happenings include local bitions but, of course, it’s all about the and national musical groups, folk May gyros, souvlaki and delicious baklava. performances and a taste-bud tour www.greekfestival.com through stops in Cuba, Colombia Asian American Celebration and Mexico. This annual festival highlights the American Indian Pow-wows www.quepasafestival.com cultural heritage of more than a dozen May is the beginning of the pow-wow Asian groups through elegant music season for Virginia’s Indian tribes. Annual Armenian Food Festival and dance, authentic cuisine, exquisite While each tribe holds its own events— For nearly a half century, the Armenian art, exhibits and more. festival has put the music and dance of www.aasocv.org . Armenia on display—as well as plates WEKELO full of traditional food. AL Y B

OS www.stjamesva.org T PHO Exhibitors at Juneteenth celebrate African heritage.

26 27 Multicultural Events Calendar (continued)

China-America Festival November Kristallnacht Anniversary of Film and Culture The Jewish community remembers While the series involves seminars, Joy From the World the Night of Broken Glass each year lectures, concerts and food tasting, From late November through New as part of the beginnings of oppression its heart is Chinese film. Over the Year’s Day, this kid-centric event at and persecution in Germany. Special course of a week, the series, which is the Science Museum of Virginia, ceremonies take place at the largely free, delves into understanding injects some learning in the holiday Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Chinese culture. season with demonstrations and trees Cemetery, erected in 1955 for victims www.therosegroup.org from cultures around the globe. of the Holocaust. www.smv.org www.jewishrichmond.com October December Second Street Festival Dance in the streets at the Second Street Festival. The hands of time are turned back to Capital City Kwanzaa Festival the past when Second Street was the trunk—but there’s a lot more. Listen to Celebrate this seven-day African heart and soul of Richmond’s African fiddle and harp competitions and tap American holiday each December American community. Each year, your feet with the rhythm of Highland with musical and dance perform- approximately 45,000 people come to dancers. Also enjoy a Parade of Clans ances, children’s activities and an Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward to and Societies, pipe bands, living history African market. hear live music on two stages, enjoy encampments, a parade of Dogs of the www.efsinc.org children’s activities, taste delicious British Isles and get the genealogical food, shop in the marketplace and information that will help you pick Chanukah Celebrations dance in the streets. your proper tartan. Join area synagogues for the eight-day www.venturerichmond.com www.richmondceltic.com Music and dance are just part of the Capital City Festival of Lights. Kwanzaa Festival. www.jewishrichmond.com Richmond Highland Games & Festival of India Celtic Festival Established in 1981, the festival draws The big draw is large men throwing upwards of 20,000 visitors from all Celebrate the richness of American culture at the Richmond Folk Festival. heavy objects—a 22-pound hammer, across central Virginia. It includes a 56-pound weight and a 20-foot tree live dances and cultural performances, a delicious spread of Indian cuisine representing the various states in India, as well as unique jewelry and crafts. . www.hinducenterofvirginia.org WEKELO

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Large objects are tossed great lengths at the N Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival. SECO

28 29 Other Notable Events September

Virginia State Fair February James River Film Festival The fair has something for everyone: The weeklong event screens indepen- rides, games, livestock and small Maymont Flower and dent films from around the world. animal shows, baking contests and Garden Show www.rmicweb.org plenty of music. For nearly 20 years, this annual www.statefairva.com garden show has injected some May color to mid-winter. Henricus Publick Day www.maymont.org Friday Cheers It’s a day of Colonial fun with food, From May through June hear great crafts, military drills and the March bands and relax on Brown’s Island. Vintage aircraft on display at the ChesterÞeld Air Show. reenactment of Pocahontas’s wedding. www.venturerichmond.com www.henricus.org Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k Hanover Heritage Day Vegetarian Festival Join some 24,000 others for the October race voted the best road race in A kid-friendly event held at the The big draw is the meatless food the Southeast. historic Hanover Courthouse, the but it also offers a marketplace and Chesterfield Air Show event provides many hands-on live entertainment. www.sportsbackers.org Along with vintage and modern activities from by-gone times. www.veggiefest.org aircraft displays, enjoy several hours www.co.hanover.va.us April of aerial performances. July www.chesterÞeld.gov Strawberry Hill Races June Hanover Tomato Festival Celebrate spring at Colonial Downs November with exciting steeplechase racing River City Beer and With 200 arts and crafts vendors and Seafood Festival featuring elite thoroughbreds. musical groups, there’s more to this Richmond Marathon Discover the difference between festival than its world famous tomatoes. www.strawberryhillraces.com With 10,000 runners, it’s “America’s lager and stout. www.co.hanover.va.us Friendliest Marathon.” www.venturerichmond.com August www.richmondmarathon.com James River Adventure Games Jump in or just watch as thousands Carytown Watermelon Festival December descend on the James for kayaking, The popular shopping district becomes wakeboarding, a triathlon and more. Grand Illumination and the a pedestrian zone with delicious Christmas Parade www.sportsbackers.org watermelon and sidewalk sales. Downtown comes alive with a www.carytownwatermelonfestival.com Ashland Strawberry Faire million holiday lights. Catch the Celebrate the red berry with shortcake, accompanying Christmas Parade. drinks, breads and more. www.thejamescenter.com www.richmondchristmasparade.org www.ashlandstrawberryfaire.com GardenFest of Lights Race to Colonial Downs for the Strawberry Hill Races. More than a half million lights arranged in botanical themes throughout the extensive gardens. www.lewisginter.org

30 31 Ethnic Dining Visitor Information

hen it comes to dining efore you begin exploring our On the Ground options, it’s a small world historic and dynamic Region, If you prefer ground travel, you can W in the Richmond Region. B take a moment to stop by one access the Richmond Region by The Region counts more than 900 of our Visitor Centers. automobile, bus or train. Amtrak restaurants. There are small, local At either location our staff is has two stations in the area: Main eateries on nearly every corner of the available to assist you with tour Street Station located in downtown Fan, Shockoe Slip and Cary Street while suggestions, hotel reservations and Richmond and Staples Mill Station, many larger establishments can be found free regional maps. When your trip located approximately 10 miles west in the commercial districts of Henrico is over, be sure to take home a piece of downtown. Greyhound/Trailways County’s Broad Street or Chesterfield’s of the Richmond Region with one of has a terminal only minutes from Midlothian Turnpike. And while the the numerous items available in our downtown Richmond. If you’re Region has its share of smoky, finger- main location’s gift shop. driving your own car or renting lickin’ Southern barbecue, cheese grits From Southern and Soul Food to Asian and Cuban delights, one here, you’ll find that the Region’s and biscuits, you’re never far from a the Richmond Region has it all. Visitor Centers minimal traffic makes traveling menu that features more diverse fare. Main location throughout the area a breeze. Here it’s easy to fill your plate with From the tastes of India, a few miles in 405 North 3rd Street, in the Greater Richmond international menus. any direction will allow you to savor Convention Center Where to Stay 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily You can start by sharing a big the flavors of the Far East at one of (9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day) From the ritzy to the relaxed, we have a communal platter of East African food the area’s many establishments like hotel to meet every need. Airport location at Nile Ethiopian Restaurant. Or rather Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant where Visitors: Search for accommodations online at Richmond International Airport visitrichmondva.com/visitors/wheretostay.aspx than Nile’s airy njera bread, dig into the pho, noodles and fish exude the 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday tortillas at a Mexican restaurant like delicate flavors of Vietnam. Or head to 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday Meeting planners: Contact RMCVB at www.VisitRichmondVa.com/planner La Siesta in Chesterfield. At Indian Shockoe Bottom where turning a corner How to Get Here restaurants like Curry House in is like jetting around the world; Europa More Info Online Henrico County, the flatbread of choice Mediterranean Café serves tapas and Traveling to the Richmond Region For local tips—from what to wear to may be freshly baked naan. The buffet Mediterranean dishes while there’s couldn’t be easier. Within a day’s liquor laws and customs—check online lets you try many new dishes at once. hoppin’ Cuban food not far away at drive of half of the U.S. population, at www.VisitRichmondVa.com. Havana ‘59 and Japanese down the we’re easy to get to from Interstates block at Hana Zushi. 95 and 64. Located two hours south But if you still have a craving for of Washington, D.C. and two hours some traditional Southern fare, try the west of the Atlantic Coast, we’re elegant and cozy Julep’s New Southern easily accessible by plane, train, Cuisine or get a fried fish boat and a motorcoach or automobile. side of cornbread at Croaker’s Spot in By Air Jackson Ward. Or find new southern The Richmond International Airport cuisine with a focus on local and (RIC) is located 15 minutes from regional ingredients at Michelle’s at downtown. Major carriers and .

Hanover Tavern. H IT

SM regional airlines—including AirTran N No matter if it’s paella or teriyaki, and JetBlue, as well as American, JACKSO

search for it online at www.Visit Y B

Continental, Delta, Northwest, United O The Nile brings Ethiopian food to Richmond. RichmondVa.com. T

PHO and USAirways—offer non-stop flights Richmond International Airport recently underwent

G a complete renovation and expansion. ININ to 21 cities and connecting flights to D destinations worldwide.

32 33 Map Spread with Flap Map Spread with Flap

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C HI CK A H O M I N

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R I V E R

Get Swept Up by the Richmond Region’s cultures.

401 N. 3rd Street, Richmond, VA 23219 1-888-RICHMOND