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    Fort Lee, VA Museums

    The Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier has been called one of the most innovative Civil War parks and a top Virginia tourist destination, thanks to its multiple museums depicting plantation and slave life, 4 pre-Civil War homes, and trails through well-preserved battlefields and fortifications.

    Petersburg National Battlefield is the site of the Siege of Petersburg where Confederate troops held off the Union soldiers for over 9 months to protect Petersburg and Richmond during the Civil War. It was only a week after the Confederacy lost this siege that General Robert E. Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse. Also part of the park are the Five Forks Battlefield, Battery #5, and Poplar Grove National Cemetery.

    The Violet Bank Museum was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during the Civil War. It is an exquisite example of Federal era architecture and has some of the best remaining examples of "Adam style" moldings left in America, done by the Adam brothers of Scotland. The museum offers history and artifacts including swords, guns, books and furniture.

    The Prince George County Regional Heritage Center preserves and shares the history and artifacts of the county's important role over the last few centuries including how the early Native Americans, New World settlements, African American and Czech-Slovak histories, religion and wars all shaped its growth and progression.

    Merchant's Hope Church is one of America's oldest Episcopalian church still in use today. The church was built in 1657 and has been restored with historical accuracy. It still retains one of the oldest known bibles to be associated with one church which was printed in 1639 and is a prized artifact that often tours with museums.

    The U.S. Army Women's Museum, located on post, is the only museum in the world solely dedicated to the women of the Army. Its purpose is to educate both military members and civilians and share the efforts made by women in the army from the Revolutionary War to today. Exhibits include women in World War II, the first woman to receive a Silver Star, and Female Engagement Teams serving in Afghanistan.

    The U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum serves to educate the general public and acts as a tool for the Quartermaster school to learn the history and impact the Quartermaster Corps has had on the Army since its beginning in 1775. There are over 20,000 objects and artifacts, including General Patton's Jeep from WWII and a saddle used by General Grant during the Civil War.

    Prince George County and much of the area around Fort Lee is rich in Civil War history, battlefields, fortifications, museums, and historical sites, so history and military buffs will have no shortage of things to do and see. In addition to those described above, check out the Centre Hill Museum, Siege Museum, City Point Open Air Museum, Fort Stevens, Fort Wead, Fort Clifton, Parker's Battery, Drewry's Bluff, and much more.

    Historic Williamsburg and the Jamestown settlement is just an hour away from Fort Lee and offers tremendous historical education and entertainment. This is the area of the first settlement at Jamestown and the land of the Powhatan Confederacy, the tribe of Pocahontas.

    Richmond

    The Museum of the Confederacy displays countless Civil War artifacts, such as military equipment and weapons, soldiers' belongings, flags, uniforms, and many items used by General Lee during his campaign. The museum also runs the White House of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis' former mansion that served as the Confederate headquarters during the war.

    Agecroft Hall was a 15th century Tudor mansion built and "living" in Lancashire, England, until it fell into disrepair and was auctioned off in 1925. The buyer had it taken apart, shipped, and put back together in Richmond, Virginia, to serve as a museum featuring period furnishings and original artwork and objects including a clock from 1610 and a painting from 1566.

    The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is the home of entrepreneur and the United States' first African American woman to found a bank, Maggie Lena Walker. She moved into the 1883 home with her sons and husband in 1904, and it is still furnished with original family pieces.

    The Richmond Slave Trail is a memorial walking trail along the route once taken by slaves from the Manchester Docks through various points in town associated with Richmond's slave trade from 1680-1775.

    St. John's Church dates back to the early 1700s with the development of the city of Richmond itself. This church was the site of the Second Virginia Convention meeting in 1775 where Patrick Henry spoke his famous words, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Today, visitors can tour the church and hear historical performers reenact the famous meeting and learn more about Patrick Henry.

    The Virginia Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the country and has the largest permanent collection of Virginia artifacts in the world. The society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and researching all areas and people of Virginia throughout its entire history. There are over 9 million objects in its collection, including manuscripts, photos, books, paintings, furniture, and much more.

    Tuckahoe Plantation is the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson and an outstanding example of 18th century plantation home architecture. Self-guided and guided tours of the gardens, plantation grounds, home and schoolhouse where Jefferson was educated, are available, some by appointment.

    The Virginia State Capitol has been the home of the General Assembly, the oldest operating legislature in the U.S., since 1788. Tours are available for visitors to learn about Thomas Jefferson's involvement in its design and to see the legislative chambers and many objects on display.