Could be moving to VA within the next year or two...pros and cons of Richmond? (Greenville: crime, how much)

[Diff1]

RVA is around 51% African American I don't think that should be an issue

[VTinPhilly]

Originally Posted by rekaten

That sounds awesome!! I've developed an interest in hearing about the Civil War from the other perspective. Do you think we would fit in as AA transplants from NJ?

I don't think it's a matter of "fitting in" as much as exploring the many facets of Richmond's history during the Civil War era. Take the case of Elizabeth Van Lew for example. Van Lew was a wealthy spinster who lived in a big columned mansion in the Church Hill section of the city. In the attic of that house she had secret rooms where she hid runaway slaves moving north on the Underground Railroad. During the War, she assisted the Union cause in the Confederate Capital in a number of ways....

For example, she placed a female spy (servant) inside the Confederate White House who retrieved important war information from conversations she overheard. The spy then forwarded this to Van Lew who encoded the information, placed it in hollow egg shells, and sent it North to General Grant! Van Lew also hid in her attic rooms Union prisoners she helped escape from Libby Prison. After the War, President Grant made her Post Master of Richmond. (BTW, Van Lew's grandfather, Hilary Baker was mayor of Philadelphia in the 1790s).

There is so much history in Richmond!!

[rvabread22]

Originally Posted by Diff1

RVA is around 51% African American I don't think that should be an issue

More like 60%

[aquest1]

Originally Posted by rvabread22

More like 60%

50.8%, man | census. Hope you're not trying to push sarcasm, Meade. We all know, you aren't very good at it.

[rvabread22]

Originally Posted by aquest1

50.8%, man | census. Hope you're not trying to push sarcasm, Meade. We all know, you aren't very good at it.

Then it has changed because Richmond was closer to 60%. I guess now we have all the foreigners coming in so that has change it, lol. Wasn't being sarcastic! ( I don't know how to be sarcastic)

[rekaten]

Originally Posted by VTinPhilly

I don't think it's a matter of "fitting in" as much as exploring the many facets of Richmond's history during the Civil War era. Take the case of Elizabeth Van Lew for example. Van Lew was a wealthy spinster who lived in a big columned mansion in the Church Hill section of the city. In the attic of that house she had secret rooms where she hid runaway slaves moving north on the Underground Railroad. During the War, she assisted the Union cause in the Confederate Capital in a number of ways....

For example, she placed a female spy (servant) inside the Confederate White House who retrieved important war information from conversations she overheard. The spy then forwarded this to Van Lew who encoded the information, placed it in hollow egg shells, and sent it North to General Grant! Van Lew also hid in her attic rooms Union prisoners she helped escape from Libby Prison. After the War, President Grant made her Post Master of Richmond. (BTW, Van Lew's grandfather, Hilary Baker was mayor of Philadelphia in the 1790s).

There is so much history in Richmond!!

Very stirring piece of history - I'll be sure to make a note of that. Thank you!!

[rvabread22]

Originally Posted by rekaten

Very stirring piece of history - I'll be sure to make a note of that. Thank you!!

I have a family story where my great great great grandmother confronted two Federal officers off her veranda on Franklin St. They shot at her (just to scare her) and missed and hit a painting in the front parlor. To this day the bullet mark is still visible!

[rekaten]

Originally Posted by rvabread22

I have a family story where my great great great grandmother confronted two Federal officers off her veranda on Franklin St. They shot at her (just to scare her) and missed and hit a painting in the front parlor. To this day the bullet mark is still visible!

WOW!! Good lord, that must have been petrifying for her!!

[rekaten]

Bump. What are the best public high schools in Richmond? Asking on behalf of my younger siblings.

[mwr]

The best public HSs are found in the far west end, I believe. Deep Run & Godwin. There is a "Governor's School" as well, and it is excellent but students must be accepted. (I'm new here, so I don't quite understand the nuances.) Lots of specialty centers.