The Virginia State Capitol Building – the Most Visible Richmond Landmark
March 3, 2011 by Richmond
Filed under Landmarks, Totally Richmond
The Virginia State Capitol was not always centered on Richmond, VA but has been moved from several locations within the Commonwealth as times and needs dictated. Today, the most visible landmark in Richmond if the majestic grandeur of the State Capitol Building, sitting atop Shockoe Hill, a dominating position which once overlooked the falls on the James River.
There have been seven other capitol locations in Virginia’s history, initially centered on Jamestown as the first successful colony, however as settlers and explorers moved inland to exploit the coastal plain and establish new townships and frontier posts, the center of government inevitably moved also. It was not until 1780 that the Virginia legislature convened in Richmond, initially in a makeshift building at the bottom of Shockoe Hill. Here plans were made, during the Revolutionary War, for a State Capitol to serve the new state, or in this case, the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson designed the building in partnership with Charles-Louis Clerriseau, a French architect. The inspiration for the building was taken from Maison Carree in Nimes, France, a Roman temple which was much admired by Jefferson during his time as US Ambassador to France. The building is built in a neoclassical style and was constructed without a dome, one of only a handful of State Capitol buildings not to have one, despite Jefferson’s predilection for them (Monticello, his home near Charlottesville and the University of Virginia are both known for their neoclassical style using domes). The building was completed in 1788, and is now over 215 years old and is America’s oldest legislature of the colonists who eventually transformed the country into the United States. It also houses the only statue of George Washington made from him as a live model during his life – all others are replicated from images or memory.
The State Capitol Building was also the home of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War, until it’s disbandment in 1865 with the victory of the Union armies. The building once more reverted to its primary intended role as the State Capitol building of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Orders were given to burn Richmond by the fleeing Confederates, however the State Capitol Building along with the Governor’s Residence were only a few of the buildings that were spared. President Lincoln himself, toured the Capitol Building a week before he was assassinated.
In 1870, tragedy struck when a crowded court hearing was taking place in a court room on the upper floor. The weight of a packed courtroom caused the floor to give way and resulting in many deaths and injuries. Despite calls for the demolition of the building, it was decided to save it and renovate the State Capitol Building, including the addition of two wings. Initially, the east and west wings were not included in the original Jeffersonian design, and it was not until 1904 that these were added with construction completed in 1906. The east wing is known as the House Wing, and the west wing is known as the Senate Wing.
Today, the State Capitol Building has been renovated once more at a cost in excess of $100 million. Free tours are provided daily though visitors may also enjoy the building on their own. The building is open all work days and on numerous holidays and children are welcome.
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College – Where to Go and What to Do
February 18, 2011 by Richmond
Filed under Information, Services
Most colleges require applications for admission by the first of the year. If you’re going for early decision, you need to get your application packet in by November 1st. So, now is as good a time as any to start thinking about where you want to apply. Whether you’re just finishing high school or if you’re a member of the AARP, continuing your education is a good thing to do.
Why? When is it ever bad to expand your knowledge base? When is it ever bad to learn how to do something better than you did it before? When is it bad to learn how to think more critically, to express yourself more succinctly, or to interact with like-minded people in a nurturing environment? Pretty much never. Plus, even with the woeful economic times we’ve had, it is still true that your earning potential increases with some sort of post-high school degree.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 annual earnings varied as much as $22,000 per year between someone with a high school diploma and someone with a bachelor’s degree. It might not be that much now, but it might be even more of a difference soon. As employers get more choosy about who they hire, you need any edge you can get to beat out the competition.
Deciding where you want to go to college and what you want to study is the first step. We were recently contacted by a website called UniXL – they’re an “education and career information portal.” I checked Richmond, VA and while the results didn’t give you every little detail on the first pass, I do think that this site is a great way to start searching for programs. Don’t forget to apply for any scholarships and grants you might get, and make sure you fill out all those FAFSA forms properly!
In case you don’t want to go to school in Richmond (what, are you crazy?) here are links to this portal’s page for each state. Happy hunting!
- Schools in Alabama
- Schools in Alaska
- Schools in Arizona
- Schools in Arkansas
- Schools in California
- Schools in Colorado
- Schools in Connecticut
- Schools in Delaware
- Schools in Florida
- Schools in Georgia
- Schools in Hawaii
- Schools in Idaho
- Schools in Illinois
- Schools in Indiana
- Schools in Iowa
- Schools in Kansas
- Schools in Kentucky
- Schools in Louisiana
- Schools in Maine
- Schools in Maryland
- Schools in Massachusetts
- Schools in Michigan
- Schools in Minnesota
- Schools in Mississippi
- Schools in Missouri
- Schools in Montana
- Schools in Nebraska
- Schools in Nevada
- Schools in New Hampshire
- Schools in New Jersey
- Schools in New Mexico
- Schools in New York
- Schools in North Carolina
- Schools in North Dakota
- Schools in Ohio
- Schools in Oklahoma
- Schools in Oregon
- Schools in Pennsylvania
- Schools in Rhode Island
- Schools in South Carolina
- Schools in South Dakota
- Schools in Tennessee
- Schools in Texas
- Schools in Utah
- Schools in Vermont
- Schools in Virginia
- Schools in Washington
- Schools in West Virginia
- Schools in Wisconsin
- Schools in Wyoming
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A Wellness Guide to Richmond
October 14, 2010 by Elizabeth
Filed under Services, Totally Richmond
Winter approacheth, but this information is seasonless. Like the Richmond Farmer’s Market Guide that I worked my widdle brain out to put together for you, I present to you the Wellness Guide, so that you may go forth, and be well.
I have neglected to provide the names, numbers, and websites of local doctors and hospitals. They are easy to find, and you probably already have your own that you like a whole bunch, so who am I to fool with that, I ask you? So this is more of a guide to where to go to go above and beyond to be healthy. Because that’s what you’ve got to do nowadays. This is an incomplete list, as there is a lot of data, but I did by best for Pete’s Sake.
The Gyms
American Family Fitness
The behemoth, Amfam has locations in Colonial Heights, Fredericksburg, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Northside, Southside, West End, and Swift Creek. The people that I know who work out there are pretty happy about it – there is a robust kid’s program and many of the locations have pools.
>>American Family Fitness – amfamfit.com
Weinstein JCC
This wonderful place has a great fitness center, lots of group classes, and a great pool. Can you tell I go there? Membership is open to people of all religions, and the atmosphere is friendly and good. There are plenty of Pilates and Yoga classes, but not a lot of traditional aerobics classes. Lucky for you there are plenty of treadmills and elliptical machines in the fitness center.
>>The JCC - weinsteinjcc.org
Gold’s Gym
This large chain has lots of locations in and near Richmond. Mechanicsville, Richmond in the Willow Lawn area, Southside, Midlothian, West End, and The Fan. Some have pools, some don’t, and some have special offers and discounts. You’ll have to go to the main website to find your location, but that’s just as well – you can learn a little about the company that way.
>>Gold’s Gym – goldsgym.com
The YMCA of Greater Richmond
A community staple, and a local favorite despite its widespread presence, the YMCA of Greater Richmond has locations in Chester, Chickahominy, downtown Richmond, Goochland, The James Center, John Rolfe Parkway, Manchester, Midlothian, Northside, Ashland, Powhatan, Shady Grove, Petersburg, and Tuckahoe. Membership rates are based on your income, and they are totally family-friendly.
>>Richmond YMCA – ymcarichmond.org
The Richmond Athletic Club
Even with only one location, the RAC has a lot of loyal followers. With all the great offerings of a great gym they’ve got group exercise classes, racquetball, whirlpools, but no pool. They do have yoga, t’ai chi, and many more programs to keep you interested.
>>Richmond Athletic Club – richmondathleticclub.com
Chiropractors
Those who visit a chiropractor regularly know about the benefits. Those who don’t? Well, maybe with this nice list to choose from they will.
HealthSource Chiropractic
Located in the West End near FedEd/Kinko’s HeathSource is Dr. Mason Sheehan, who does chiropractic and progressive rehab.
>>HealthSource Richmond – richmondchiro.net
Rulli Chiropractic Clinic
Your friendly Northside chiropractor, Nicholas Rulli’s office is located on Brook Road near 295.
>>- rullichiropractic.com
River City Chiropractic Wellness
Located in the heart of downtown Richmond, Dr. Franklin Luke’s practice has many patients, including lots of kids. A kid-friendly practice.
World Chiropractic
Located on Gaskin’s Road, World Chiropractic’s Andrew Lombardozzi provides chiropractic care to people of all ages, and is active in the community, doing free health screenings and educational seminars.
– worldchirocenter.com
Massage Therapists
While some of the chiropractic offices above offer massage therapy, here are some other places you can go for therapeutic massage.
Kneading Therapy
Located in the West End, this collection of Certified Massage Therapists provide everything from traditional massage to prenatal massage and everything in between.
>>Kneading Therapy – kneadingtherapy.com
Art of Massage
Located near downtown on Monument Avenue, Art of Massage is committed to wellness and believes in massage as a preventative therapy, not just an indulgence.
>>Art of Massage – artofmassageva.com
Escape Massage
With convenient locations in Short Pump and Midlothian, Escape Massage offers corporate discounts and a variety of massage types.
>>Escape Massage – escapmassage.com
Other Wellness Services
Colon Hydrotherapy
The Healing Center – colonhealthcare.net
Accupuncture
Commonwealth Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center – commonwealthchiro.com
Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine – acupuncturevirginia.com
There are many more wellness professionals in Richmond. For concierge medicine check out AAPP.org
Check back for more information.
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