News Release

Revolutionary War History to be Commemorated in Church Hill

NPS

News Release Date: December 24, 2023

Contact: Bert Dunkerly

Revolutionary War History to be Commemorated in Church Hill 

Richmond, VA.   Richmond is well known for its Civil War history, yet troops fought over and occupied the state capital during the Revolution as well. The 1781 raid on Richmond by British General Benedict Arnold will be commemorated by Richmond National Battlefield Park, in partnership with St. John’s Church Foundation, the Henrico Public Library, and Henrico County Recreation and Parks.  

British and Hessian troops led by turncoat General Benedict Arnold drove American militia off the hill where the Chimborazo Medical Museum now stands. The King’s forces occupied the city for 24 hours, destroying supplies. Before the end of the year, many of these troops would be laying down their arms at Yorktown. 

This special event commemorates not just Arnold’s Raid but the Revolution in Richmond and surrounding areas. The schedule and location of activities follows:  
Thursday, January 4, 7:00 p.m. 

Randy Flood, host of The Real American Revolution Multimedia Center & Consortium for Civic Education, will speak about the coming of the war and events 250 years ago in 1773. The program takes place at the Libbie Mill Library, 2100 Libbie Lake East Street, Henrico, VA 23230. 

Friday, January 5, from noon to 5:00 p.m. 

Re-enactors from the 6th Virginia Regiment will have an encampment open to the public at the Clarke-Palmore House, 904 McCoul Street, Henrico, VA 23231.  

Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Re-enactors representing American, British, and German troops will be set up at the Chimborazo Medical Museum at 3215 East Broad Street in Richmond. Activities will include weapons demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., a noon kid’s militia drill, colonial toys and games to play, quill writing, spinning wool, music, and displays about historic food, clothing, weapons and more. Representatives from area Revolutionary War historical groups and museums will be set up with displays and exhibits. 

Sunday, January 7th 

10:00 a.m.: Revolutionary Richmond walking tour, exploring sites associated with the Revolution in downtown Richmond. Learn about prisons, hospitals, headquarters, military occupation, and civilian life. The tour is two miles and begins at the Farm Fresh on East Main Street: 2320 East Main Street, Richmond.  

12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Presentations by historians at Historic St. John's Church, 2319 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223.
1:00 pm: The Old Stone House and Lafayette in Richmond- Chris Semtner, Poe Museum Curator
2:00 pm: Edward Carrington and the preservation of his grave marker- Stephen Wilson, Executive Director, St. John's Church Foundation
3:00 pm: Actuated by Zeal in the Cause: Lesser Known Continental Soldiers from Virginia- Mark Maloy, author and historian with Emerging Revolutionary War
4 pm: Conclusion 

St. John’s visitor center and bookstore will be open from Noon- 4:00 p.m.  

All activities are free. For more information contact Park Ranger Bert Dunkerly at e-mail us or Historic St. John’s Church at [phone].