The Future of Richmond's Past Presents Civil War and Emancipation Day, April 17, 2010, Richmond VA

Online, April 9, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Richmond, VA - One Day.15 Sites. Priceless. From cannon fire to period shanty songs, area museums, attractions and organizations have joined forces to offer "Civil War & Emancipation Day: the 150th Anniversaries" (CWED). On Saturday, April 17, 2010, free admission to more than 15 museums and coordinating institutions will offer activities, special programs, historic interpretations and guided tours throughout the River City.

Please become a fan of the Future of Richmond's Past on Facebook at http://ow.ly/1wFGS; RSVP on the Civil War and Emancipation Day Facebook event page: http://ow.ly/1wFFW and visit us on the Future of Richmond's Past website at http://www.futureofrichmondspast.org.

In partnership with the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, the Future of Richmond's Past and its coordinating organizations have expanded the Center's annual Civil War Day into Civil War & Emancipation Day to include and further enhance the program offerings of neighboring institutions. Free shuttle service will be offered throughout downtown Richmond and Jackson Ward, Shockoe Bottom, and into the Museum District along the Boulevard to sites including the Virginia Historical Society, Maggie Walker Historical Site, Valentine Richmond History Center, and Museum of the Confederacy to name but a few. Additionally, Venture Richmond and Segway of Richmond will offer rest for weary feet with free River District Canal Cruises and Segway tours of Brown's Island respectively for patrons as well.

April 17 is also the second annual Maggie Walker Heritage Day, offering one-act play performances, a Maggie Lena Walker re-enactor, and musical numbers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free ice cream will be served until it runs out or melts!

Food will be available for purchase at the Tredegar and Shockoe Bottom sites and at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.

Students, too, will take an active role in the day's events, as volunteers and performers. From contemporary choirs and dance performances to historic recitations and artillery drills scattered throughout the Tredegar site and Shockoe Bottom and Maggie Walker National Historic Site, there will something for everyone.

Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy and center of the nation's slave trade, will begin to commemorate the dual 150th anniversaries of the Civil War and the end of slavery in 2011, offering the Richmond Region a unique opportunity to showcase this shared history.

"Virginia was host to more Civil War battles than any other state, and Richmond was ground zero," said Jack Berry, president and CEO for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. "And more than 41 percent of Civil War travelers visit Richmond most among Virginia destinations."

"Virginia will be telling diverse stories that help visitors connect on a personal level with this important period of American history," said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, an event sponsor. "We know that families visit iconic sites and events like this in Virginia to explore how history impacts our lives still today."

The local universities - the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Union University-which are hosting public forums on The Future of Richmond's Past-are very much engaged in this effort as well. President Ed Ayers from the University of Richmond said, "It is more important now, than ever, that younger generations better understand their past. The Civil War & Emancipation Day events offer an overview of all that Richmond has to offer, and it's authentic . . .it all happened right here in places that still stand today."

For the day's full lineup, or to volunteer, please visit www.futureofrichmondspast.org or become a fan on Facebook - keywords "Future of Richmond's Past." Or, call 804.780.1865 ext. 16.

Generous supporters from the metropolitan Richmond business community include Venture Richmond, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Verizon Foundation, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Shockoe Properties, NXL, Inc., Old Dominion Electrical Supply, and Odell Associates, Inc.

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