Experiencing Art in Virginia - Virginia Is For Lovers

Address

6125 Boyton Plank Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone

804-861-2408 (8048612408)
City

Petersburg

Locality

Dinwiddie
Social

Central Virginia is filled with locations of the arts and entertainment. These selected attractions cover art galleries,
Virginia authors’ homes, painters, and movie sets in Central Virginia. Here are a few must-see attractions:

First stop: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. VMFA has assembled a wide-ranging collection of world art characterized by great breadth and exceptional aesthetic quality. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to
encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

Next stop: Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond. The Poe Museum began over a century ago when Edgar Allan Poe collector and researcher James Howard Whitty and a group of literary enthusiasts met in Poe’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia to create the state’s first monument to a writer. The Museum has enjoyed a history as unique as the author it honors.

Insiders Tip: All of the dining options in Richmond can be found here: https://www.virginia.org/directory/dining.

Next stop: The Beacon Theatre. Built in 1928 by the Knights of Pytheas it began as a silent movie and Vaudeville show palace. Stars such as Sally Rand, (famous burlesque dancer); Lash LaRue, Cowboy performer who taught Harrison Ford how to crack a whip performed in the Beacon in the 1930’s-1940’s. Now, The Beacon plays a major role in the cultural and recreational life of Hopewell.

Next stop: Centre Hill Mansion. The mansion was featured in Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln,” filmed in Petersburg just before Christmas 2011. Three presidents have visited the house: John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, and William Howard Taft. In 1864 Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet made Centre Hill his headquarters, as did Union Major General George L. Hartsuff on April 5, 1865.

Final stop: Pamplin Historical Park. Experience the lives of the common soldier, civilian and enslaved people at this National Landmark 424-acre campus which features four historic homes, The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, 5 miles of trails and the Breakthrough Battlefield. “Medal of Honor” was a commissioned painting done by Don Troiani, Americas foremost Civil War artist, and is displayed at the Battlefield Center. The painting depicts the heroic efforts of Captain Charles Gould at an event that occured right at the Park. You can find painted murals, made by international artists such as Keith Rocco, depicting life in the Civil War at the museum.

Insiders Tip: Attractions mentioned offer group rates and special programming options for adults and students, so be sure to ask.