HISTORICAL SITES
Glen Allen is full of historical attractions. Enough to spend a full day exploring!
Below are some of the sites, locations and their backgrounds.
VIRGINIA RANDOLPH MUSEUM
2200 Mountain Road | Glen Allen, VA Â 23060 | (804) 652-1485
The museum is dedicated to the history of Virginia E. Randolph (1874–1958), an African-American vocational educator in the area for 55 years.
Virginia E. Randolph was born to former slaves, and made her early career as an educator. In 1908 she was chosen by the Henrico County supervisor to develop a model program of vocational teacher's training and supervision. Under the auspices of the Jeanes Foundation, the methods and plans developed by Virginia Randolph in Henrico County eventually achieved internationally widespread adoption.
Randolph also continued to teach in the Henrico County schools until her retirement in 1949. The home economics building, where she is said to have had an office, continued to be used as a teaching facility until 1969-70, and was then converted by the county into a museum in Randolph's honor.
The building, built in 1937 and housing Randolph's home economics classrooms, is a National Historic Landmark in recognition of her legacy as a trainer of vocational teachers, and her remains are interred on the grounds. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
COURTNEY ROAD SERVICE STATION
10698 Courtney Rd Glen Allen, VA 23060
This "house with a canopy style" station was built around 1925 when there was an increase in cars, improved roads, and a decrease in the cost of gas. In 1940, Richmond Telephone directory listed the site as the "Friendly Service Station". Owned by the Barlow family, locals recall the station store being operated by Mr. Wiltshire. The County of Henrico had the station restored and it is now located on the corner of Courtney Road and Mountain Road for public display.
WALKERTON TAVERN
2892 Mountain Road Glen Allen, VA 23060
P. (804) 652-1485
Walkerton Tavern was built by John Walker between 1824 and 1825 in Henrico County along the historic Mountain Road corridor. The structure has not only served as a tavern, but possibly a field hospital for wounded Union Cavalrymen in 1864. The building, gazebo, and garden area are available for private rental. Walkerton Tavern is a unique facility perfect for everything from a business meeting or retreat, to an afternoon reception with your friends or serving as the backdrop for a beautiful wedding. A variety of events are offered for both children and adults throughout the year. Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm Rental & Program Hours: Mon-Sat: 8am-10pm; Sun: 1-8pm
MEADOW FARM MUSEUM AT CRUMP PARK
3400 Mountain Road | Glen Allen, VA Â 23060 | (804) 652-1455
In 1713 William Sheppard acquired the property of Meadow Farm by land grant. Not much is known about the use of the property until William’s great-grandson, Mosby Sheppard, built the existing house in 1810. Later the property was acquired by Dr. John Mosby Sheppard.
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Seven generations of the Sheppard family lived at Meadow Farm.
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From this site, Tom and Pharoah, Sheppard family slaves, warned Mosby Sheppard of a proposed slave rebellion on August 30, 1800, later known as Gabriel's Rebellion.
During a Civil War raid, family legend has it that the Union Major General George Armstrong Custis tied his horse to a cedar tree in front of the farmhouse.
In addition, American Indian sites, that predate the Sheppard family ownership, have been identified on the property.
In 1974 Meadow Farm was listed on the Virginia Landmark Registry and the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1975, Elizabeth Adam Crump, wife of the late Adjutant General of Virginia, Sheppard Crump, donated the property of Meadow Farm to the County of Henrico and it was opened to the public as Meadow Farm Museum/ Crump Park in 1981.
Although restoration had been completed in the late 1970s to preserve and interpret Meadow Farm, damage from Hurricane Isabel in 2003 presented the County an opportunity to re-examine documents pertaining to the original house construction. Mosby Sheppard and his son John Sheppard built Meadow Farm in phases. Both men carefully documented the purchase of building materials and labor for work done between 1809 and 1858. During the restoration process, museum staff interpreted in detail the material, labor, and expense involved in constructing a home in 19th-century rural Virginia.
Meadow Farm is now interpreted as a living history farm and museum, presenting programs and exhibits on the culture of the rural South in the 1800’s. Costumed interpreters provide insight into the lives of Dr. John Mosby Sheppard and his family. On selected weekends, there are demonstrations of seasonal activities in the farmhouse, barn, doctor’s office, blacksmith forge, fields, and pastures.
Costumed interpreters provide insight into the lives of Dr. John Mosby Sheppard, the owner of Meadow Farm, and his family. On selected weekends, they demonstrate seasonal activities in the farmhouse, barn, doctor’s office, blacksmith forge, kitchen, fields, and pastures.
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FOREST LODGE
2892 Mountain Road Glen Allen, VA 23060
P. (804) 652-1485
Captain John Cussons, a native Englishman, confederate scout, author, and entrepreneur married Mrs. Benjamin Allen (after whose family Glen Allen was named). He settled here after the Civil War and established a printing company. In 1881, he built a six story fashionable resort hotel with over 100 elaborately decorated rooms known as Forest Lodge adjacent to the railroad tracts. The resort hotel occupied 1000 acres, which also boasted a hunting preserve, lakes, boathouses, gardens, parklands, and an amphitheater. Forest Lodge was never the success it was hoped it would be, and in later years served first as a boarding house, and later as apartments. The parklands reverted to woods. Forest Lodge was demolished in 1989 due to development plans. The County of Henrico restored the top cupola, all that remained of the building
GLEN ALLEN SCHOOL (NOW THE GLEN ALLEN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER)
2880 Mountain Road Glen Allen, VA 23060
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In 1886, Elizabeth Jane Holladay established the first Glen Allen School when she began teaching children in her home. In 1889, the school was moved to a one room building on Mountain Road. It was relocated to Old Washington Highway in 1911. It was constructed at a cost of $10,000. It had no central heating or indoor plumbing. Between 1914 and 1925 three wings were added. In the 1930's an auditorium, gymnasium and home economics cottage were constructed. The school ended operation in 1978. In 1999, it re-opened as the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.