We spent the day in Richmond.It was a rainy day which makes it suitable for indoor activities. We visited Tredegar Iron Works, Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Actually Ginny visited the art museum on her own, I spent the time reading a book on the history of photography in Virginia.

Tredegar was interesting because it was an iron works for a long time. During the Civil War it produced a massive amount of cannon and other materials for the Confederacy. It also produced the iron plates used for the Merrimack (CSS Virginia). It operated until the 1950s. During the World Wars it was an important plant producing munitions. I found it interesting but stagnant. I asked questions of several staff and found they were pretty much clueless. That was a surprise because in general NPS personnel are quite knowledgeable. Additionally, the outdoor interpretive panels were badly weathered and illegible. This site really didn't come up to snuff, in my opinion.

The Virginia Historical Society was interesting. Not something I would hurry back to see. Some of the exhibits were closed for maintenance. We have been to other state museums which were much better.

Tomorrow it is off to Cold Harbor then up to Pennsylvania to see the other grandkids.