Chesterfield – Magnolia Grange, the Chesterfield County Museum and the 1892 Historic Jail will be among the Richmond Region’s most renowned historic sites that will be offering a “passport” to “time travel” during a special admission-free weekend on March 24 and 25.
Tourists and locals alike are invited to discover the history of Chesterfield County. Each site will offer complimentary admission to visitors who show a Time Travelers Passport, available at www.chesterfieldhistory.com. All participating sites are offering a prize opportunity for Passport holders during the Time Travelers Weekend. The prizes will feature items from each of the participating sites’ gift shops; visitors may register to win at all sites. A list of all participating sites can be found on the passport.
Magnolia Grange, built in 1822 by William Winfree, is a handsome Federal-style plantation house named for the circle of magnolia trees that once graced its front lawn. Noted for its distinctive architecture, the mansion contains elaborate ceiling medallions, as well as sophisticated carvings on mantels, doorways and window frames. The house has been carefully restored to its 1820s look and feel.
The Chesterfield Museum is a reproduction of the colonial courthouse of 1749. Its collections tell the history of Chesterfield County from prehistoric times through the 20th century. Exhibits include early Indian culture, artifacts from the first iron and coal mines in America which were in Chesterfield County, early household and farming tools and a country store of the late 19th century.
The Old Jail, built in 1892, includes a changing exhibit downstairs. “Mobilizing for War,” on display through November 2018, is a centennial exhibit focusing on the history of the establishment of Camp Lee for training and equipping troops for WWI. Upstairs, visitors may view cells as they were when they housed their last prisoners in 1962.
Magnolia Grange, the County Museum and Historic Jail will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Magnolia Grange is located at 10020 Iron Bridge Road, the County Museum and Jail are located nearby at 6813 Mimms Loop in Chesterfield.
For more information, call Magnolia Grange at (804) 748-1498 or the County Museum and Historic Jail at (804) 768-7311 or visit www.chesterfieldhistory.com.
