Things to do in Hopewell
Brandon Plantation
Designed by Thomas Jefferson and built by Nathaniel Harrison in the mid-18th century, the red brick house remained in the Harrison family until 1926. The gardens of the Colonial plantation extend to the James River. The portico bears reminders of two wars—a British ship during the Revolutionary War opened fire from the river, and Union soldiers during the Civil War fired upon and then occupied the house. The parklike grounds contain old trees and expanses of lawn. The garden is the original plan; plantings include perennials, ornamentals, bulbs and trees native to the area. Brandon Plantation is still a working farm. The principal crops are corn, soybeans and wheat. Beef cattle also are raised on the plantation. Call (757) 866-8486 for more information.
5.5 mi. n.e. on CR 611 (Brandon Rd.), Spring Grove, VA 23881
Children's Museum of Richmond
Children's Museum of Richmond is at 2626 W. Broad St. Interactive exhibits allow children to learn about the human body, discover river ecosystems, work in a grocery store, experiment in the Inventor's Laboratory and create artwork. Call (804) 474-7000 for more information.
2626 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
City Point Early History Museum at St. Dennis Chapel
City Point Early History Museum at St. Dennis Chapel is at 609 Brown Ave. Artifacts and exhibits depict Colonial, Civil War and early 20th-century history of the village of City Point. An archeological exhibit from Kippax Plantation, the home of Pocahontas' granddaughter, is displayed. Call (804) 458-2564 for more information.
609 Brown Ave., Hopewell, VA 23860
Federal Reserve Money Museum
More than 500 items depict the history of currency and coins. The museum contains such items as compressed tea bricks that could be spent or brewed; and a coin from the Kingdom of Lydia, the birthplace of coinage. Call (804) 697-8110 for more information.
701 E. Byrd St., Richmond, VA 23219
The Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Although Poe never resided in the 1737 Old Stone House—Richmond's oldest residence—he lived and worked in the area for much of his life. The museum features a complex of four buildings that house Poe's personal memorabilia and rare first editions, a gallery with James Carling illustrations inspired by “The Raven,” and a large-scale model of early 19th-century Richmond focusing on Poe's life in the city. Call (804) 648-5523 for more information.
1914-16 E. Main St., Richmond, VA 23223