7-17-19 Richmond, VA

The Virginia capitol sits high up on a hill and in the days before skyscrapers was probably visible from any direction.  It was the first state house built in the USA, and was designed, notably, by Thomas Jefferson who began the plans in France when he was an ambassador there.  The cornerstone was laid in 1785 when Patrick Henry was the Governor of VA and the construction was completed in 1798.  Jefferson favored classical Roman temple architecture which featured ionic columns along the front of the building.  Monticello, his home, has these columns as does the rotunda at the University of Virginia, founded by him. 

First of the USA state capitols, designed
by Thomas Jefferson
Richmond, VA

Thomas didn’t want a dome on the VA capitol but there is an interior dome with a skylight at its center.  The light rays coming through the skylight beam upon a full-sized sculpture of George Washington.  This priceless sculpture is famous, the work of Jean-Antoine Houdon, carved of Carrera marble and completed in 1792.  It weighs 18 tons and the floor upon which it stands had to be beefed up to support it.  It is considered a perfect likeness of George who, in 1785, lie motionless as oil and then plaster was applied to his face to create a mold.  Various venues have asked to borrow the sculpture to put it on display at events and the reply has always been, “Not a chance.”

Rob and George W

George W's face, considered a perfect likeness

It is a strange feeling to walk upon the very planks and stand in the chambers where our fathers stood, people such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Patrick Henry and Abraham Lincoln.  The Senate Chamber also functioned as the Supreme Court early on and here, Andrew Jackson and Meriwether Lewis sat in attendance at the treason trial of Aaron Burr.  In the House Chamber, Robert E. Lee accepted the position of commander of the VA confederate forces.  We found ourselves wishing that the walls and furniture could talk.

Lindy, House Speaker

O

Robert E. Lee accepted his commission
on this spot

Rob and Stonewall Jackson

Lindy and her hero, Thomas Jefferson

The interior dome just above
George W's head

Bits and pieces:

During the Civil War, the Union was effective in cutting off supplies to the South.  They also plundered and pillaged, stealing treasures, commodities, animals, fruit and vegetables.  At one point, Sherman sent this smart ass note, “Convey to Jeff Davis my personal and official thanks for abolishing cotton and substituting corn and sweet potatoes in the South.  These facilitate our military plans much, for food and forage are abundant.”  In addition, the CSA dollar wasn’t worth much so even buying food was beyond most budgets.  Nevertheless, the people of the south starved and sacrificed to aid their soldiers.  “Cooking for the Cause,” spells out some of the recipes used by the Southerners.  Here are a few.

SODA BISCUIT

One quart of sour milk, one teaspoonful of soda, one of salt, a piece of butter the size of an egg, and flour enough to make them roll out.

REPUBLICAN PUDDING

Take one cup of soft boiled rice, a pint of milk, a cup of sugar, three eggs, and a piece of butter the size of an egg.  Serve with sauce.

APPLE PIE WITHOUT APPLES

To one small bowl of crackers, that have been soaked until no hard parts remain, add one teaspoonful of tartaric acid, sweeten to your taste, add some butter, and a very little nutmeg.

And now, you are about to learn why our trip schedule has been tightly controlled:  We are at Cherry Hill Park a few minutes from DC.  We have tickets to tour the White House tomorrow at 9AM!