5 Monuments that Honor Black History in Richmond
- The West End Mom
- Jan 23, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2025
From the change makers like Barbara Johns to the way makers like Arthur Ashe, Black Virginians have led the way for equality in civil rights, education, sports and more!
To celebrate Black History in Virginia, try a walking tour of monuments that honor Black creativity, activism, and heroism. Richmond, Virginia has numerous statues, monuments and murals around the city, and these are open to the community all year long, not just in February.
Here are 5 monuments that celebrate Black History around RVA to try with kids this year. These are easily accessible for people of all ages because they have parking nearby, they are on side walks or have barriers between the road, and they are located close to more activities for kids!
Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for things to do with kids in Richmond!
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Each one of these RVA memorials celebrate history, culture and contributions of Black Virginians, and specifically those from Richmond or who created change in our state's capital.
Here are 5 monuments in the City of Richmond that are easy to visit with kids:
1.Virginia Civil Rights Monument: This bronze and marble statue features 18 leaders and participants in the Virginia Civil Rights Moment. It specifically highlights the 1951 protests of "separate but equal" in education in Virginia. Barbara Johns is at the forefront - a leader in the Virginia Civil Rights Movement, starting when she was just 16 years old. This monument also features the Spottswood William Robinson, a civil rights lawyer and educator, Oliver Hill, a civil rights attorney from Richmond, and L. Francis Griffin, an activist and preacher.
Location: Virginia Capitol grounds, 1000 Banks Street
Parking: street parking & paid parking
*I like to use the paid lot at Grace Street - it's about a 5 minute walk from the Capitol grounds, .3 miles. The address is 609 East Grace Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Handicapped parking is available at this lot too.
Things to do nearby: The Capitol grounds are open to the public and the pathways are stroller-friendly. This is a pretty walk filled with history for families to enjoy. These Capitol's gardens are especially pretty in the spring time and in the fall. Please note that these gardens have mostly full sun, but there's a few trees around that property that provide shade.
2.Statue of Maggie L. Walker: This 10-foot bronze statue honors Maggie L. Walker's legacy in Virginia. A Richmond native, Walker was the first African American woman to open a bank, Penny Savings Bank. This memorial plaza also has 10 benches around it that tell the story of Walker and her achievements.
Location: The Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza, W Broad Street & N Adams Street
Things to do nearby: This memorial plaza is in front of restaurants and small businesses. If you walk about 2 minutes, you will see Abner Clay Playground, a fully fenced in playground in Jackson Ward. Check here for more details on this playground. You can also visit the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Jackson Ward.
Parking: street parking & paid parking
3.Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Statue: This life-sized aluminum statue depicts Bill Robinson, a famous tap dancer and humanitarian born in Richmond. Not only was he a famous performer, but his dance routines in live performances and roles in films broke down color barriers in Hollywood over the 1930s and 1940s. His statue actually sits on the corner of Adams and West Leigh where he paid to have a traffic light installed.
Location: corner of Adams & West Leigh Street
Things to do nearby: This statue is about a block from the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and Abner Clay playground. It will take you between 5 and 10 minutes to walk on sidewalks with kids to these two locations.
Parking: street parking
4.The Emancipation and Freedom Monument:This powerful memorial towers over visitors on Brown's Island with two 12-feet tall, bronze statues. One representing a man, breaking free of the shackles of slavery, and the other a woman and her infant, newly freed from slavery. Featured along the sides of these statues are ten Black Virginians who dedicated their lives to freedom. Installed in 2021, this monument commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Location: Brown’s Island, Bottom of 12th Street (on the James River)
Things to do nearby: This memorial is located on Brown's Island, an open green space with stroller-friendly trails. You can also visit The Headman statue a couple feet away, or walk to The Tyler Potterfield Bridge or continue down the Canal Walk.
Parking: street parking, paid parking and Belle Isle Parking Lot
*I like to use the paid parking at Tredegar Iron Works and the Belle Isle Parking lot.
5.The Headman Statue:This bronze statue honors the African American men who navigated the James River around Virginia and the Richmond canals over the 18th and 19th centuries. Their skill lead to both contributions in industry and commerce. The plaque dedication reads: “THE HEADMAN: Commemorates the contributions of African American men as skilled boatmen on the James River and its canals, and in the development of industry and commerce in the City of Richmond.”
Location: Brown’s Island, Bottom of 12th Street (on the James River)
Things to do nearby: This memorial is located on Brown's Island, an open green space with stroller-friendly trails. You can also visit The Emancipation and Freedom statue a couple feet away, or walk to The Tyler Potterfield Bridge or continue down the Canal Walk.
Parking: street parking, paid parking and Belle Isle Parking Lot
*I like to use the paid parking at Tredegar Iron Works and the Belle Isle Parking lot.
For more things to do with kids around Richmond, follow @thewestendmom on Instagram!
