
Civil War Tours
March 9,
2023 – Historic Trees of
Chesterfield: Silent Witnesses to our Past:
This presentation
will explore the history of Chesterfield’s
most notable trees. Learn about the
Nunnally oak tree that has been standing for
over two centuries at the old courthouse,
the Osage orange tree that once stood at
Magnolia Grange and other old local trees.
Details
March
4, 2023: County Museum
Short Film Day
March
21, 2023:
April 22,
2023: Herb
and Crop Gardens at Magnolia Grange:
Spring has sprung and it is time to talk
about gardens. A lecture and short walking
tour of the garden area of the site will be
presented and samples of medicinal and
culinary herbs will be shared. Participants
will be encouraged to share gardening
experience and tips. 11 a.m.
The
"Magnolia Grange House Museum"
is an elegant Federal period home built in
1822, named for the circle of magnolia trees
that once graced its front lawns. Listed on
the National Register of Historic Places,
Magnolia Grange’s distinctive architectural
features include elaborate ceiling motifs, a
half-turn open carved stairway and hand-painted
scenic wallpaper produced by Zuber, a French
manufacturer.
Historic
1817 Castlewood was built ca.
1817-1819 by Parke Poindexter. Poindexter
was the Clerk of the Court at Chesterfield
County from 1812 until 1847, almost 35
years. The original landowner was Henry
Winfree, who received the property as a land
grant in 1754. County Clerk Mr. Poindexter
purchased the 180-acre tract in 1816 and
began his efforts to construct a new home.
One of the three or four finest Federal
period houses in the county, Castlewood
features a formal five-part plan differing
from any other recorded Virginia dwelling.
"C.
1860 Summerseat" - According
to tradition, this 19th century
house was used by a county magistrate as the
“seat” of his court during summer months due
to the muddy and rutted roads which made
travel to the courthouse in the center of
the county almost impossible. The
lower brick portion of the house was the
“jail” or “detention center, complete with
bars that held prisoners or those persons
awaiting trial. It is
not a large building at 18 by 16 feet. The
house is part of Virginia State University.
Genealogy Research
Summer Camps for Children