By Carelyn Sheppard
The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia held its annual meeting Sunday, July 28, at the historic Violet Bank in Colonial Heights.
The meeting was followed by a tour of the historical property Violet Bank, which was part of the 144 acres purchased by Thomas Shore in 1775. It was the first recorded settlement in Colonial Heights.
The original mansion burned, but the structure built in 1815 is today a fascinating museum with a wealth of history all its own. Lafayette was there on two separate occasions. During the Civil War, Gen. Robert E. Lee had his headquarters there during the Siege of Petersburg from June to September 1864. Lee was at Violet Bank when he got the news of the Battle of the Crater on June 30 of that year.
Violet Bank Museum has artifacts and educational displays of many historically significant events. A magnificent Magnolia acuminata on the property was planted in 1718 and is the second-largest cucumber tree in the world.
After the wonderful tour and history lesson, the CHSV event concluded with an ice cream social.
A benefit concert, coming up Aug. 23 at Westchester Commons, is always a popular event and good time where one may consume libations of local craft beer and listen to good music.
The historical society’s new board members are: Nicholas Carico, David Limmer and Russ Lescault. Their terms of membership are three years.
