We’re continuing our neighborhood series days after its famous 2nd St. Festival with the Jackson Ward Historic District.
Jackson Ward was known as “the Harlem of the South,” and was seen as the epicenter of Black business, finance, and entertainment. Richmonders in the early 20th century could’ve rubbed shoulders with jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald + Duke Ellington in town for a show, as well as influential Richmonders like Maggie L. Walker and John Mitchell, Jr.
So let’s adventure to the Ward:
Public parking lots
- 5th and Broad St.
- 404 1/2 N. 2nd St.
- 102 E. Marshall St.
Get some lunch:
Mama J’s, 415 N. 1st St.
- Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Try this: Beef Brisket with corn muffins + fresh collard greens 🥬
Take a walk to one of these attractions:
Black History Museum & Cultural Center, 122 W. Leigh St.
- $10 for adults, discounts available for children, seniors + military
- Pro tip: Contact the museum to set up a guided group tour
Gallery5 Arts, 200 W. Marshall St.
- Hosts events for all kinds of artists and local organizations — from visual art and music to culinary works
- Want to be in the know? Catch up on what’s going on this week at Gallery5 on our events calendar.
Statue of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Corner of W. Leigh + N. Adams St.
- Did you know? The statue was erected at this intersection in 1973 where Robinson paid to have a stoplight installed after a child was nearly hit by a car
- May 25 is now National Tap Dance Day in honor of Robinson, the world’s greatest tap dancer.
Stop for a historic photo op:
Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd St.
- Open for special events only, like the upcoming All Black Celebration for VUU Homecoming this Friday
- Brunch is available at its Speakeasy Grill Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Pro tip: you can take a self-guided tour of the whole historic theater online.
There’s still much more Richmond to explore. Pop by our Church Hill story for a refresher, then check out our poll below to tell us which neighborhood we should highlight next.
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