(VCU) — 1889 Baist Atlas Map of Richmond — Plate 1 — showing the ironworks diagonally southwest from the Turning Basin
The Richmond Iron Works, at Ninth and Canal streets, are owned and operated by Chamblin, Delaney & Scott, all three of them men of long experience and expert knowledge of their business. Mr. John Chamblin, senior member of the firm, has been identified with these works as proprietor since their establishment in 1869. He is a native of Loudoun county, this State, and is the manager of the firm’s finances.
Mr. Alexander Delaney was formerly one of the firm of Tanner & Delaney, who founded the Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works here, one of the largest concerns of the kind in America. Mr. James H. Scott, junior member of the firm, is a native of the city, and has had the very great advantage of education for the higher mechanical branches of the trade in one of the leading technical schools of the North. He has also had considerable practical experience of the business in California and New York.
May 2019 — looking towards Ninth & Canal Streets today
These works represent, with their equipment, an investment of $50,000. They cover a space of 300 by 270 feet, or about an acre and a half. The buildings are of brick chiefly, and are fitted up with the latest and most complete devices and appliances for the business in all the departments. About 60 hands are steadily employed in the works, and when occasion requires, more even than that.
[RVCJ03] — showing the 2nd factory location in the Shockoe Valley
The specialty of these works is general architectural foundering and machine construction and repairs. Heretofore castings have been produced chiefly, but the firm has lately gone into machine construction more extensively than formerly. They utilize Virginia-made iron largely, and consume about 600 tons weight of it, in the various processes of manufacture, a year. [RVCJ93]
But when the factory relocated circa 1892, the story took a turn.
Mary Lumpkin sold the Wall Street lots to Andrew Jackson Ford and his wife Mary Lucy Ford in 1873. Based on an examination of the city land books for this period, as well as detailed maps of Richmond from the 1870s, it appears most likely that the jail building had been demolished by 1876. In 1892, Ford sold the lots to John Chamblin and James H. Scott. With Alexander Delaney, they established the Richmond Iron Works on the site, which manufactured architectural iron work, stationary engines, and supplies for electric railroads. [PAILJ]
(Library of Congress) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1905) — Plate 19
That’s right, the new location of the Richmond Iron Works sat squarely on top of the former location of Lumpkin’s Jail, the notorious holding cell of slave trader, Robert Lumpkin.
In this building Lumpkin was accustomed to imprison the disobedient and punish the refractory. The stout iron bars were still to be seen across one or more of the windows during my repeated visits to this place. In the rough floor, and at about the center of it, was the stout iron staple and whipping ring. (Encyclopedia Virginia)
(Valentine Museum) — showing the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in 1959, with the former jail & factory site at center
The Richmond Iron Works deeded the property on Lumpkin’s Alley to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad in the early twentieth century, and by 1909 the railroad had constructed a large freight depot on the site. In the mid-twentieth century, the two northern sections of the depot were removed, and the remains paved over. When the Richmond and Petersburg Turnpike was built in the late 1950s, the western portion of the former Lumpkin lots was buried beneath the elevated roadway, while the eastern section became a parking lot. [PAILJ]
May 2019 — looking towards the former jail & factory site today
How telling is the tread of time that speaks to a location’s usefulness? In the span of fewer than 100 years, this site was host to a slave pen, an ironworks, a railroad depot, and an interstate, largely forgotten for all but the latter. Given Richmond’s historical obsessions, it is sometimes remarkable the extent to which groundball history gets overlooked.
[PAILJ] Preliminary Archaeological Investigation of the Lumpkin’s Jail Site (44HE1053), Richmond, Virginia. Matthew R. Laird. 2006.
[RVCJ03] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1903.
[RVCJ93] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1893.
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Combining protean forces from the forbidden Zero Serum with the unbridled power of atomic fusion, to better probe the Wisdom of the Ancients and their Forgotten Culture.
Every Memorial Day since 2013, the James River Association has kicked off their annual water quality monitoring program to help keep swimmers, paddlers, and boaters informed about river conditions before they get on the river.
This program, better known as James River Watch, releases real-time river results to the public on a weekly basis thanks to volunteers and partners across the watershed.
Approximately 120 volunteers will monitor water quality at 38 sites across the watershed from Memorial Day through Labor Day this year. In addition to these crucial volunteers, JRA also relies on essential partnerships with Rivanna Conservation Alliance, American Water, Virginia State University, Virginia Master Naturalist-Peninsula Chapter, Appomattox River Company and Twin River Outfitters to carry out the program.
James River Watch volunteers take water samples every Thursday to track measurements of water temperature, air temperature, turbidity (or cloudiness), conductivity (or saltiness) and bacteria. High levels of fecal coliform bacteria can indicate presence of pathogens harmful to human health, which can affect river user safety.
Photo Credit: James River Association
These measurements are updated and displayed every Friday via the program’s online platform. Additionally, the platform displays stage and flow readings, as well as predictions compiled in real time from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Geological Survey stream gauges.
Thanks to the careful design of the interactive map, James River Watch acts as a quick and easy reference for river users to determine recent river conditions all in one place. This year, JRA has added two new stations to the River Watch program: one at the Howardsville boat ramp where the Rockfish River meets the James, and one at Deep Bottom Park in Henrico County.
River lovers can be the first to know when results are posted every Friday by signing up for a weekly newsletter, typically sent on Friday afternoons or evenings throughout James River Watch season. The newsletter also includes a weekly station spotlight, highlighting JRA’s test stations and encouraging recipients to find new places to enjoy the James.
“We are very excited to continue James River Watch with another year of informing community members about river conditions before they go out to recreate,” said Casey Johnson, Community Engagement/GIS Coordinator for JRA. “I have so much gratitude to our amazing volunteers that help make this program possible.”
During the 2022 river season, James River Watch revealed an 80% bacteria pass rate with 6 sites passing 100% of the time. These sites include Robious Landing Park, Pony Pasture, Hopewell at Route 10, College Creek Beach, and Riverside Beach.
JRA staff has been concerned with the high bacteria levels at two sites in the Williamsburg/James City County region. In 2021 and 2022, JRA worked with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) to test the water for a marker found in human sewage in an effort to understand why the bacteria levels might be high. The results showed that it was unlikely to be the result of human sewage, which is good news. Bacteria sources that are closer to humans are more likely to be a threat to health. In 2023, JRA is working again with HRSD to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to try to identify the source of the high bacteria levels.
JRA strives to protect and connect people with the river, objectives that James River Watch certainly accomplishes. JRA also provides opportunities for river lovers to help reduce the amount of bacteria flowing to our waterways. Community members can sign up to join River Hero Homes by pledging to adopt easy, river-friendly behaviors at home. JRA’s Action Network provides a platform for river advocates to help secure clean water funding, and river rats can become an official RiverRat, JRA’s first line of defense for patrolling potential pollution sources.
The James River Watch program is partially funded by the Department of Environmental Quality Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program.
To learn more about James River Watch, visit www.jamesriverwatch.org, or contact Casey Johnson, JRA’s Community Engagement/GIS Coordinator at [email protected].
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[Tuesday], at approximately 5:13 p.m., Officers of the Richmond Police Department working off duty at the Huguenot High School graduation responded when gunfire was heard in Monroe Park at North Laurel and West Main Streets. Multiple RPD units responded with VCU Police to assist on scene. Officers located five individuals who had suffered gunshot wounds. They were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. A short time later, two additional victims arrived at an area hospital; they were self-transported.
Two adult males, ages 18 and 36, succumbed to their injuries.
One sustained a life-threatening injury, and four sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Other injuries include:
One juvenile was struck by a vehicle, was treated on scene, and later transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.
Two individuals were treated for falls.
Nine individuals were treated for anxiety and minor injuries at the scene.
Two individuals were quickly taken into custody by VCU Police. After consultation with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, one of the individuals detained will be charged with 2nd Degree murder (x2).
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RPD Major Crimes Detective J. Crewell at (804) 646-5324 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
Information is fluid at this time as the investigation evolves.
Statement from Richmond City Council:
“This evening, Richmonders are once again devastated by senseless gun violence. At a graduation ceremony, a tradition rooted in honoring a milestone achievement, has been marred by an act that has taken lives and left many others injured.
Those who were able to survive without visible wounds will likely be forever impacted by this violent event.
The thoughts and prayers of all members of Richmond Council and all Richmonders are with the students, parents, families, teachers, friends, and loved ones of those whose lives were taken from us and were injured tonight in this terrible tragedy.
During this difficult time, we know that each person will draw on their personal strength and the strength and faith of their friends and community. We join tonight as one family, one community, and one Richmond.
As a family in Richmond, we lend and extend our friendship and hearts to our Richmond family during this difficult and challenging time.
We don’t yet have all the answers to this senseless act of violence, only that it should never have happened and that is has no place in our society.
Richmond City Council also wants to recognize our first responders who act every day to save lives and restore order and put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our community.
We ask that everyone join us in keeping all the families in their hearts, thoughts and prayers and ask that all Richmonders observe a moment of silence tonight in support, respect, and condolence to all those impacted by this unspeakable event.
Richmond City Council does do not condone or stand for senseless acts of gun violence. Richmond is a resilient and strong community. While our hearts are heavy for the loss, the unanswered questions as to why linger. We will heal and we will grow stronger.
For those who wish to engage with caring mental health professionals, Richmond offers the following services:
— Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (@RepMcClellan) June 6, 2023
All RPS schools & offices will be closed tomorrow, June 7. All high school graduations have also been canceled. Further updates regarding rescheduling will be shared soon. pic.twitter.com/AAFum2TdcB
— Richmond Public Schools (@RPS_Schools) June 7, 2023
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The Richmond Folk Festival returns October 13-15, 2023, and celebrates its 19th anniversary, having become one of Virginia’s largest events. The beloved festival draws fans each year to downtown Richmond’s riverfront to celebrate the roots, richness, and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling, and food.
The free event hosts 200,000 people over a three-day weekend. Featuring six stages and showcasing music and dance from more than 30 performing groups from around the nation and the world, the Richmond Folk Festival today announces the first eight artists of what will once again make up a culturally diverse and artistically excellent program.
“We are looking forward to showcasing downtown Richmond’s ever-changing riverfront once again for a beautiful weekend of music, dance, food, and crafts with the James River and our city skyline as the perfect backdrop,” said Stephen Lecky, director of events at Venture Richmond. “This is the 19th year of the festival, and we couldn’t be more proud of its legacy in Richmond and across Virginia.”
The Richmond Folk Festival is presented by Venture Richmond Events in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), Virginia Humanities, Center for Cultural Vibrancy, Children’s Museum, and the City of Richmond.
Artists to be featured at the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival include:
Baba Commandant & the Mandingo Band (Mandinka) Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Bio Ritmo (salsa) Richmond, Virginia
Chuck Mead (rockabilly and honky-tonk) Nashville, Tennessee
Genticorum (Québécois) Montreal, Québec
Hālau ‘O Lilinoe (traditional Hawai’ian hula) Carson, California
Kala Ramnath (Hindustani violin) San Francisco, California
Melody Angel (Chicago blues) Chicago, Illinois
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (bluegrass) Charlestown, Indiana
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![[RVCJ93] — showing original location at Ninth & Canal](https://rvahub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Richmond-Iron-Works-1.jpg)
![[RVCJ03] — showing the 2nd factory location in the Shockoe Valley](https://rvahub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Richmond-Iron-Works-8-1024x591.jpg)
