Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia

PowerPoint Presentations

Historic Chesterfield County, Virginia
PowerPoint Presentations

Programs are presented by staff of Chesterfield County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.   Call 751-4946 or email Bryan Truzzie to arrange a program. Cost: FREE

Archaeology: Learning from the Past This presentation focuses on the archaeological process,
establishing an excavation site, a look at various branches of archaeology and a discussion of historical
findings from recent excavations.

Chesterfield County: A Historical Perspective This presentation details the rich history of Chesterfield spanning
over 250 years. It also describes the county’s historic and recreational sites and is ideal for those who are new to
the region and wish to learn more.

Chesterfield County’s Historic Courthouse Green Learn about the Colonial history of Chesterfield’s old
Courthouse Green and hear the stories surrounding its monuments and historic structures.

Civil War History You can choose from the Bermuda Hundred Campaign in Chesterfield County, Lee’s Retreat
or the History of Point of Rocks and the Union Hospital.

Ghosts of Chesterfield County Learn about some of the most haunting historic sites and homes in the county.

Heirloom Herbs: Their History and Folklore Explore the historical uses and folklore of herbs as air freshener,
insect repellent, medicinal and culinary uses.

Historic Chesterfield County Courthouse Learn about the history surrounding Chesterfield County’s original
1750 courthouse, including several well-known trials and other historic events that took place on its grounds.

Historic Coal Mines of Chesterfield County Chesterfield is home to the first commercial coal mines in the New
World. From 1703 to the early 1900’s, the mines produced abundant supplies of coal. Find out how this industry
shaped the history of the county.

Historic Mills of Chesterfield County This presentation will provide an insightful glimpse into the history of
mill power that was prevalent during the 18 th and 19 th centuries.

Historic Trees of Chesterfield County Listen to the stories surrounding Chesterfield’s most notable trees. Learn
about the Nunnally oak tree that has been standing for nearly 2 centuries at the old courthouse, the “cucumber”
the magnolia tree, planted in 1833 at Violet Bank, and other unusual and historic local trees.

Victory Gardens of World War II: A Nation Comes Together Take a look back at Victory Gardens that
Americans planted in back yards, vacant lots, parks, schools, rooftops and window boxes, to boost morale during
wartime and provide food for the family during the days of rationing.

What’s in a Name? The Origins of Plant Names Hear the stories behind the origins of common plant names and
learn about the history of scientific names, which help us to make sense out of the sometimes confusing, but
always interesting, world of plant names!

History of Victorian Bon Air This presentation covers the history of the resort town during the 19 th century.

Courthouse Centennial This presentation focuses on the centennial history of the 1917 Courthouse.

Eppington Plantation This program focuses on the history of Eppington, architecture, connection to Thomas
Jefferson and the 250 th Anniversary

Iron Furnace at Falling Creek This program focuses on the history of the first iron furnace established in the
New World in 1619.

History of Bermuda Hundred This program examines the history of the first incorporated town in English North
America.

History of Pleasant View School This program addresses the history of one of the last African American school
houses in Chesterfield County.

Huguenots and Religious Freedom This program examines the history of the French Huguenots and the fight for
religious liberty in the colonies.

Programs are presented by staff of Chesterfield County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Call Bryan Truzzie
at 751-4946 or truzzieb@chesterfield.gov to arrange a program. Cost: FREE

      

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Chesterfield County Historic Sites

Point of Rocks is a historic site on the Appomattox River  is designated "Pont of Rocks Park".  Abraham Lincoln walked with Union Generals discussing ways to win a war.   Clara Barton served as the head nurse to many wounded and sick Union soldiers in the largest hospital in the world. The house was used for the surgeons quarters and is still standing and currently, the house is being stabilized. Evidence of Indians who lived on the river is just below the house.  It is one of Chesterfield's most historic sites and not yet open to the public.

 

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.

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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.

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Help Save Chesterfield County's Rich History

"C. 1860 Summerseat"  - According to tradition, this 19^th 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.

 

C. 1879 Trinity Church - The old church sits in a stand of a few trees not quite visible from Krause Road but adjacent to Ironbridge Road where it is plainly noticeable.  It offers an unobstructed view at that corner.  Not so vacant any longer and no longer a huge storage shed for odds and ends, it serves a new purpose in its longevity of survival.  It is alive with activity once again.  Presently, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is utilizing the building as its headquarters and library until historic Castlewood is renovated.  Historic Castlewood, ca. 1817-1819, sits nearby to the church just across Krause Road and was once the parsonage for the Methodist.

 

 

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