Events
Free walking tour highlights Ashland Trolley Line on April 29th
A free walking tour on Saturday, April 29 will help people understand the historic Ashland Trolley Line’s impact on the Richmond region today.

A free walking tour on Saturday, April 29th, will help people understand the historic Ashland Trolley Line’s impact on the Richmond region today.
From 1907 to 1938, the Ashland Trolley Line connected the city of Richmond to the town of Ashland. The 14.8-mile streetcar line route played a major role in the development of local neighborhoods.
The corridor represents a significant portion of the upcoming Fall Line trail, a multi-use trail stretching across seven localities from Ashland to Petersburg.
Organized by PlanRVA and its partners, the walking tour starts at the L. Douglas Wilder Library & Learning Resource Center on the Virginia Union University campus at 9 a.m.
On-campus parking is available by the library or the Perkins Living and Learning Center. VUU is also accessible by GRTC bus route 1 Chamberlayne/Downtown. Registration is encouraged.
Experts will discuss the Ashland Trolley Line’s impact on the development of communities in North Richmond and northward through Henrico and Hanover counties to the town of Ashland.
Presenters will include Bill Martin of The Valentine, historian Kim Chen of the City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review, radio personality and historian Gary Flowers and staff members from PlanRVA and the National Park Service’s Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
The event supports a public history project by PlanRVA and the National Park Service, which is working to collect stories about the historic streetcar line and the neighborhoods that emerged around it. Collected stories will be featured along the Fall Line route.
PlanRVA representatives will also participate in an informational booth at the 19th annual Ashland Train Day festival on the same day, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
To contribute stories to the Ashland Trolley Line history project, contact [email protected].

Events
PlanRVA Day on June 1st offers host of free learning opportunities
The Richmond region’s planning district commission is opening its doors to community members and partners next month for a day of learning and networking.

PlanRVA will host PlanRVA Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at its new office at 424 Hull St. Rd. in the Manchester neighborhood. The event will focus on the topic of placemaking, the process of creating quality inclusive places where people want to live, work and play. Sessions will explore various aspects of inclusion and public engagement, with a focus on community connection through regional trails, public art and the environment.
The day will conclude with a film screening of the documentary “A River Called Home” with filmmaker Jess Wiegandt from 6-7:30 p.m. The film focuses on the journey of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay over three weeks, while conducting a water quality study.
“PlanRVA is where the region comes together to look ahead,” said Martha Shickle, PlanRVA’s Executive Director. “Regional collaboration and cooperation happens every day in Central Virginia. PlanRVA Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’re making together to support quality of life and growth in the region. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event.”
Attendees can tour PlanRVA’s office space and connect with staff and community partners throughout the day.
Sessions are free, but registration is required. People can sign up for single sessions or for the entire day.
Downtown
Island Shrimp Co. to hold rum seminar with acclaimed Brooklyn spirits author, educator
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame.

Island Shrimp Co. at Rockett’s Landing is set to host a rum tasting event on Saturday, May 27th at 2:30pm, featuring Brooklyn-based spirits author and educator Shannon Mustipher. The event will showcase a range of regional rum styles, with a welcome cocktail and eight sample selections for attendees to try. Tickets for the seminar are priced at $35 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was named on the Bar World 100 list of the most influential people in the industry.
In addition to the rum tasting, Shannon will be signing copies of her book “Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails,” and will remain at the venue for a special happy hour from 4-6pm. The happy hour event is open to the public and will feature three cocktails from the book.