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.
Important changes to Bank St. traffic patterns will include:
A new “pedestrian plaza” extending from the Commonwealth (formerly Commonwealth Park Suites Hotel) to north 10th Street along Bank Street, between the Pocahontas Building and the Capitol extension public entrance. The plaza will serve as a safe space for members of the public, administration, legislators, state employees, teen pages and the media to move between the two buildings.
Bank Street will become one-way, from west to east, between 10th and 12th streets. Two-way traffic along Bank St. will resume east of 12th Street.
Traffic calming measures to prevent speeding will be placed on the north and south sides of Bank Street.
There will be no access to Bank St. from Franklin Street.
Right turns from 9th Street onto Bank Street will be prohibited for all but hotel traffic, buses for Capitol tours by appointment, and deliveries to the Pocahontas Building.
Capitol Police will control access to the pedestrian plaza through automatic gates.
These measures will remain in place while the General Assembly occupies the Pocahontas Building.
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.
Traveling I-95 North
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.
Traveling I-95 South
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.
Traveling I-64 West
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.
Traveling I-64 East
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.
Traveling I-195 East (Downtown Expressway)
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.
Currently on view in the Capitol Visitor Center through December 2019, “The Great Charter and the General Assembly: Founding a Legacy in 1619” is an exhibition that commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Virginia General Assembly. In 1619 the Virginia Company of London sent a set of instructions to the Virginia Colony’s newly appointed governor, Sir George Yeardley (1587-1627).
The Great Charter and the General Assembly Exhibit Now in the Capitol Extension
These instructions came to be known as the “Great Charter” and resulted in sweeping reforms in the management of the colony. Among the most significant was the establishment of an elected assembly. This assembly first met at Jamestown, Virginia in the summer of 1619. This pivotal event in American history marks the founding of what is today the Virginia General Assembly, the oldest representative legislative assembly in the New World. Virginia’s General Assembly has been meeting annually ever since that first historic gathering 400 years ago. Virginia’s 400 year tradition of representative government and the institution of elections stand as lasting legacies and the foundation on which American government and democracy have been built.
Educational exhibits on display in the Capitol extensionThis campaign will fund the development of programs and interactive experiences aimed at educating current and future generations on the ideals of liberty, representative government, and civic engagement. In addition, the projects will remind visitors of the pivotal role Virginia has played in the founding of America’s form of government. Focus areas will include significant milestones in Virginia history, representative government in action, and the compelling stories of influential, though often less celebrated, individuals.
