Richmond Battlefield Park at Tresfeger Iron Works, Virginia

After we all left Maggie L. Walker NHS, we drove 5 minutes down the road to the Richmond Battlefield Park at Tresfeger Iron Works in downtown Richmond.

When we got there, Hunter was starving and we saw a street vendor selling tacos, so after we stamped my book, we walked down to where he was over by the canal walk and bought some. The guy was super friendly but really chatty and it took him 3x longer to make our tacos than we had to wait. But, they were delicious! Really spicy. I got the Jerk BBQ Taco with a nice punch of kick. I ordered first and got my order and crossed the road and sat down facing the canal. Then, Cierra and Hunter joined me and I was done while Lisa was still waiting on her order. Like I said, the food was fantastic but the wait time was forever!

SO YUMMY GOOD!

Downtown Richmond Canal

Another view

Cierra was so hungry I think she ate two tacos

Lisa (in pink) is still waiting for her tacos.

After we ate, we walked back to the Iron Works along the canal walk and went to the Visitor Center.

Richmond Battlefield Park has multiple sites and we chose to see Tresfeger Iron Works. Other sites are the Watt House at Gaines' Mill Battlefield and the Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield. There is also Malvern Hill, Drewry's Bluff, Chicahominy Buff Battlefields, Glendar Battlefield, Fort Harrison Battlefield, Parker's Battery, Totopotomoy Creek Battlefield, Chimborazo Medical Museum and Cold Harbor Battlefield. We chose Tresfeger Iron Works because this was where the main visitor center was located. So, as you can see, Richmond had a vast array of place you could go. Each of these locations was part of either the 1862 Seven Days' Peninsula Campaign Battles or the 1864 Overland Campaign Battles.

NPS Web Photo
Many locations, One story

Hunter decided he wanted to pursue his second junior ranger badge for the day so he got his booklet and we all started going through the exhibits. Unfortunately, the basement floor was off limits because of a flood a few weeks ago and so we had to have the rangers mark the pages in the book where his answers could be found. Tredegar Iron Works, where the main Visitor Center is located was the Confederacy's most important iron foundry and roller mill. The Visitor Center had a good sided information desk and bookstore on the main floor.

History of Tredegar Iron Works

The building was built in stages of evolution from stonework in the beginning at 1854 to two types of brick dating to 1890.

Once Hunter got his packet, we started exploring the 3rd floor and main floor exhibits.

Hunter looking at the overview map and filling in answers

Two types of cannons used during the battle

Map of the area battlefields

Here are a few of my favorite things I saw today:

I love Civil War Drums. Each one tells a story.

Artillery shells

A Civil War Surgeon's Kit. Yicks!

Local china dolls

Items of a an officer

Up close on the blue glasses...so cool!

Union coat and hat with Confederate flag

Beautiful Civil War Mourning Gown and Necklace

Bottles

Shoulder Boards

Sword

Field Items: Canteen, Chair and Bag

Civil War Dice, Dominoes and a Pipe to pass the time

Confederate Flag with work stars

Hunter finally finished his book and the ranger checked it over, gave him the pledge and they shook hands. It was a fun day and Hunter was glad to be done with the task. I love the junior ranger program because it helps kids learn about history is generally a fun way. Sometimes, some of the parks get a little carried away for a little plastic badge, but other parks make the tasks enjoyable for the child.