A National Historic Landmark
A Formal Dedication of the Virginia Women’s Monument took place on October 14, 2019. The Virginia Women’s Monument Commission will be dedicated seven statues. The seven statues will be of Anne Burras Laydon, Cockacoeske, Mary Draper Ingles, Elizabeth Keckly, Laura Copenhaver, Virginia Randolph, and Adele Clark.
The Virginia General Assembly established the Booker T Washington Commemorative Commission in 2021 (Senate Resolution 95) in “Supporting the establishment of a commemorative commission to honor Booker T. Washington with a statue in the Old Senate Chamber”.
The monument, designed by Thomas Jay Warren of Oregon, will feature a 12-foot bronze statue representing newly freed slaves. Dedicated to the contributions of African American Virginians in the centuries-long fight for emancipation and freedom, the monument also will highlight notable African American Virginians who have made significant contributions to the emancipation and freedom of formerly enslaved persons or descendants. The base of the monument will feature the names, images, and brief biographical information about eight African American Virginians whose lives were dedicated to Emancipation and freedom — five individuals from the period before Emancipation through 1865, and five who continued to work for freedom from 1866 to 1970.
Is this event open to the public?
Yes, this event is open to the public. No RSVP or invitation is required to attend.
What time does the event start?
The event starts at 11:00 AM and will end at approximately 12:30 PM.
Will there be parking available?
• 9th and Franklin Parking Deck-Guests can park at the 9th and Franklin parking deck located at 801 E. Franklin Street. Vehicles may enter the parking deck from either 9th Street or Franklin Street.
• 7th and Franklin Parking Deck
• There will be free street parking for Columbus Day; you can use the Parkopedia.com website to locate parking options.
• The Pulse:
When taking the Pulse, exit 9th and Broad Streets at the Government Center Station. Make your way on foot to 9th and Grace Streets, a short walk from the station.
• GRTC Bus Stop:
When taking the GRTC Bus, exit Franklin and 9th Streets. Make your way on foot to 9th and Grace Streets, a short walk from the GRTC Bus Stop.
Will the event have seating?
Yes. There will be limited seating so we suggest arriving early to ensure a seat. There’s additional room in the back for standing.
I have special needs and will need additional assistance. Will there be someone to help me?
There will be a shuttle pick-up at the 9th & Franklin deck and drop-off at 9th & Grace Street for anyone who needs additional assistance with transportation to the event. There will also be staff available to direct you to the appropriate section during the event.
My group is coming in a bus. Where should we get dropped off?
Buses are allowed to drive through the loop at 9th & Grace Street for drop off. Parking is available for them as well. Please email Lindley Griffin at lgriffin@senate.virginia.gov for parking details.
Can I watch from home?
Yes. This event will be live streamed. Use the link below:
http://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3
Will the event be rescheduled if it rains?
No. This event is rain or shine.
The Capitol building is open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Self-Guided tours are available during operating hours each day our Capitol Visitors Brochure will help you get started.
Free one-hour guided tours Monday through Saturday are available beginning by 10:00 a.m. for walk-in visitors (or 9:00 a.m. for groups by appointment) and continue throughout the day, with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, guided tours are available beginning at 1:00 p.m., with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m.
In addition, self-guided tours are available during operating hours each day.
The Capitol Building is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Indoor guided tours last about one hour and include two newly restored rooms that were not previously on tour. In addition to the Rotunda, Old House and Old Senate chambers, tour groups usually see one of the 1906 legislative chambers located in the wings (when the General Assembly is not in session).
For more information on arranging guided tours, contact:
capitoltourguides@house.virginia.gov
Capitol Guided Tours
c/o tour supervisor
Post Office Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Call our main voice number 804-698-1788 to verify daily tour schedules and make group tour appointments for groups of 10 or more people.
Please Provide the Following Information When Arranging:
Private vehicles with handicap tags are able to park and unload passengers on Bank Street between 9th and 10th streets, near the new public entrance. There is no public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.
Three or four spaces are presently available on Bank Street between 10th and 12th Streets. Buses should not stay on Bank Street longer than 2 hours. As of 2008 the former “Bus Loop” behind Old City Hall is no longer available to school or tour buses visiting the Capitol. Overflow bus parking is available at the Virginia War Memorial, on 2nd Street south of Spring Street. Group leaders will need to be in phone contact with their drivers.
There are four free general public spaces (1 hour) on the north side of Bank Street, between 9th and 10th Streets. A limited number of metered public parking spaces (2 hours) are located on the west side of 10th Street, between Main and Bank Streets, on Bank Street, between Governor and 14th Streets, on the south side of Main Street, between 9th and 12th Streets and on 12th Street between Main and Bank Streets.
Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 8th and Grace Street and 7th and Marshall Streets. Downloadable maps of nearby parking lots and decks, as well as rates, are available via Ridefinders Downtown Commuter Guide web page.
If you have any questions about parking lots in the capitol vicinity, please call the Capitol Tour Desk at (804) 698-1788 or email the Tour Desk at capitoltourguides@house.virginia.gov
Commercial tour groups, school groups and the general public will enter the restored and expanded Capitol from a new entrance plaza near 10th and Bank streets.
Bank Street has become a two-way thoroughfare between 9th and 14th streets, in order to make the new public entrance more accessible.
Because of the Capitol visitor entrance is not currently accessible from Bank Street, we suggest several parking options when traveling by vehicle when visiting. An interactive map is below along with instructions for groups traveling by bus via highways/interstate.
View a larger Google Map for directions.
Important changes to Bank St. traffic patterns will include:
These measures will remain in place while the General Assembly occupies the Pocahontas Building.
Buses that drop off school and other groups at the Capitol extension on Bank Street to visit the Capitol can unload inside the pedestrian plaza, then park at the Department of General Services Office of Fleet Management Services at 2400 W. Leigh St. Richmond, VA 23220.
Unless directed otherwise, buses will return to pick up their passengers along the traffic circle around the equestrian Washington monument located inside the Capitol Square gate at 9th and grace streets, one block uphill from (north of) the pedestrian plaza. Group leaders will need to have direct phone or text communication with their drivers, since buses will not be able to park on or next to Capitol Square.
By Bus: If traveling north on I-95 take exit 74C (Broad Street). At the fork in the exit ramp bear right (follow “Broad St. East” sign) and enter onto 17th Street heading south. At light turn right onto Broad Street and drive uphill (west) to the light at 14th Street. Turn left at 14th Street and go downhill (south) to the light at Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head west to the light at 9th Street. Turn right onto 9th Street and head uphill one block to the first light, at the intersection with Bank Street. Turn right onto Bank Street and stop at the entrance gate to the pedestrian plaza, staffed by the Division of Capitol Police.
By Bus: If traveling south on I-95 take exit 74B (Franklin Street). Be careful to slow down when taking this exit because it is a short downhill ramp ending at a traffic light. At the light turn right onto Franklin Street and proceed straight ahead to the light at the intersection with 14th Street. Turn left onto 14th Street and go downhill (south) to the light at Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head west to the light at 9th Street. Turn right onto 9th Street and head uphill one block to the first light, at the intersection with Bank Street. Turn right onto Bank Street and stop at the entrance gate to the pedestrian plaza, staffed by the Division of Capitol Police.
By Bus: If traveling west on I-64 get into the left lane while crossing a bridge into downtown Richmond and take the left ramp, exit 190, onto I-95 south. After a short distance take exit 74B (Franklin Street). Be careful to slow down when taking this exit because it is a short downhill ramp ending at a traffic light. At the light turn right onto Franklin Street and proceed straight ahead to the light at the intersection with 14th Street. Turn left onto 14th Street and go downhill (south) to the light at Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head west to the light at 9th Street. Turn right onto 9th Street and head uphill one block to the first light, at the intersection with Bank Street. Turn right onto Bank Street and stop at the entrance gate to the pedestrian plaza, staffed by the Division of Capitol Police.
By Bus: If traveling east on I-64 into downtown Richmond proceed straight ahead on 95 south (AVOID the right exit for I-64 East to Williamsburg) and take exit 74B (Franklin Street). Be careful to slow down when taking this exit because it is a short downhill ramp ending at a traffic light. At the light turn right onto Franklin Street and proceed straight ahead to the light at the intersection with 14th Street. Turn left onto 14th Street and go downhill (south) to the light at Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head west to the light at 9th Street. Turn right onto 9th Street and head uphill one block to the first light, at the intersection with Bank Street. Turn right onto Bank Street and stop at the entrance gate to the pedestrian plaza, staffed by the Division of Capitol Police.
By Bus: take the 7th/9th street (Rt. 60) exit and stay in the right lane of the exit ramp. Turn left onto 9th Street and proceed north through the intersection with Main Street and uphill one block to the light at the intersection with Bank Street. Turn right onto Bank Street and stop at the entrance gate to the pedestrian plaza, staffed by the Division of Capitol Police.
The Capitol building is open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Self-Guided tours are available during operating hours each day our Capitol Visitors Brochure will help you get started.
Free one-hour guided tours Monday through Saturday are available beginning by 10:00 a.m. for walk-in visitors (or 9:00 a.m. for groups by appointment) and continue throughout the day, with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, guided tours are available beginning at 1:00 p.m., with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m.
In addition, self-guided tours are available during operating hours each day.
The Capitol Building is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.