Find a spot for your trail card in your purse, wallet, or car so you don’t miss the opportunity for a new stamp. | Photos by Quirk Hotel staff
Taste test and trail blaze your way through the city with Wine & Wander RVA, a sip-worthy scavenger hunt launched last week by Quirk Hotel.
How to participate:
1. Acquire a trail card from any 12 participating locations, like Birdie’s, Brambly Park, or The Roosevelt, to name a few.
2. Taste-test decadent wines across Richmond + collect a stamp from each visited spot.
3. Bring your completed card back to a participating biz for a surprise goodie bag.
Plus, time is on your side; you have from now until Sept. 30 to complete your card.
New exhibition explores what it means to be free but not equal
Presented by Virginia Museum of History & Culture
“Un/Bound” is a collaborative effort between VMHC and five Virginia colleges and universities. | Photos provided by Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Between 1619 and 1865, many Black Virginians were free from enslavement. But while they raised families, built careers, and created strong communities, they lived under laws and systems that treated them as anything but equal.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) brings these stories to light in its newest exhibition, “Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619–1865,” on display now through July 4, 2027.
Real people, real stories
One story follows more than 200 years of the Madden family’s history in Culpeper County. Sarah Madden was born free but spent part of her childhood indentured. After gaining her freedom in 1789, she built a successful life as a seamstress and laundress. Her son, Willis Madden, went on to become a prosperous farmer and broke barriers by owning Madden’s Tavern before the Civil War.
Over the years, the Maddens continued to make an impact as teachers, preachers, and community leaders. Their legacy is honored through a family history published by T.O. Madden in 1992 and the Maddensville Historic Site. Items like their family trunk, a teaching contract, and a school register help bring their story to life.
Legacies that live on
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will see personal artifacts like a $200 bond signed by Benjamin Short, the manumission petition Matthew Ashby used to free his wife and children, and a needlepoint Sarah Jackson stitched while attending school in Maryland — one of the few educational options available to Black students at the time.
“Un/Bound” also includes portraits by award-winning photographer Ruddy Roye, featuring descendants who keep their families’ legacies alive by sharing stories and objects for the exhibition. Think: historians and educators to an NFL star turned nonprofit founder.
Admission to “Un/Bound” is free for VMHC members, EBT/SNAP cardholders, and kids under 5.
Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865 Exhibition | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture | $12.00 | See the premiere of this exhibit, which explores the lives of free Black Virginians through powerful presentations and first-person accounts.*
KASE Sushi x Blue Bee Cider: Pairing Tasting Menu | 6:30 p.m. | Blue Bee Cider | $60 | If you like the paired concept of scallop ceviche and Hopsap Shandy, you’re the target audience for this tasting event set at shared, community-style tables.
Tuesday, June 17
Pollinators Talk and Tour | 10-11:30 a.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $22, free for members | Have all your pressing pollinator questions answered at this guided workshop followed by a walk through the gardens.
Wednesday, June 18
Daou Wine Dinner Experience | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Sidecar Cocktail Lounge, Midlothian | $125 | This curated menu will feature delectable selections like Tempura Fried Squash Blossoms, Soft Shell Crab Picatto, Dark Chocolate Cheesecake + a wine to pair with each.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth: Free Community Day | 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | Free | On this holiday, the garden will host a live painter, morning storytime, musical performances, and eats from vendors like Philly Vegan and Ruby Scoops.
Friday, June 20
“Waitress” at Virginia Repertory Theatre | Friday, June 20-Sunday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | November Theatre | $39+ | Join the crowd for this Broadway-smash comedy, sure to warm your heart and inspire you to tip your servers well.
Summer is coming. The summer solstice is this Friday, June 20, which marks the astronomical start of the season. It’s also the longest day of the year — measured by the amount of daylight — and the sun will set in RVA at 8:34 p.m.
Older Adults
Uber is introducing new accounts for seniors with features like a larger typeface, fewer buttons, and easier-to-follow instructions. It’s now live in Richmond — good news if you were planning to take an Uber to the next big event. (The Verge)
Mansion Monday
Five bedrooms. Five bathrooms. $5 million. A 9,767-sqft mansion just hit the market in Goochland County. A heated infinity pool, golf simulator (in the poolhouse, of course), and home theater are just a few features that make this house feel unreal. Don’t believe me? Take a look.
Eat
Lettuce celebrate Fresh Veggies Day, which is today. The observance commemorates the nutritional value of vegetables, and there’s no better way to partake than by stocking up at a local farmers market.
Stat
Just 37% of employees completely disconnect from work when they’re on vacation. We won’t be hurt if you miss a couple of our newsletters if it makes it easier to ignore those work emails. Just don’t forget to check out what you missed and tag @therictoday on your local adventures. (Dayforce)
Put your detective skills to the test with the Virginia Lottery’s new CLUE Scratcher. Inspired by the classic board game, this twist lets you play from your favorite “room” — and your phone. It’s mystery, nostalgia, and maybe even a win, all in one. Play online.*
Home
27%. That’s how much home insurance rates have risen in the last four years, widely due to the increased frequency and scope of natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, and floods. Take this two-minute questionnaire to see if you’re wasting money on overpaying for insurance (and how you could save).*
Live
City Guide
Money, money, money
The overall cost of living in Richmond is lower than the national average. | Photo by @staboaviation
Richmond’s cost vs. Arlington’s cost
Interested in seeing Richmond’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We poked around on NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can put in any city along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what other cities you could afford to live in.
We looked at the cost of living in Richmond compared to Arlington, VA. Here’s what we found:
Income: If you make $50,000 in Richmond, you’d need to make $71,338 for a similar lifestyle in Arlington.
Housing: Costs are 149% higher in Arlington. The median rent for a two-bedroom is $2,867 in Arlington, compared to $1,363 in Richmond.
Gas: If you moved to Arlington, you’d pay 3% more for a gallon of gas, which averages $3.55.
Food: You’d pay 13% more on groceries and dining out in Arlington.
From renting to buying groceries, how expensive is it to live in Richmond? We crunched the numbers for you.
Olay Super Cream with sunscreen. The tried-and-true cream boasts better hydrating power than the No. 1 luxury moisturizer on the market — plus, it plumps, firms, and protects skin, making it a great daytime moisturizer to wear alone or under makeup.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
What was this 1954 building originally used for? (Located in the Museum District)
78.3%: Doctor’s office 10.1%: Paper company 7.8%: Food service headquarters 3.9%: Beauty salon
🎉 Correct answer: Doctor’s office
Officially listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, this 1954 building served as a physician’s office for decades (before momentarily becoming the HQ for Ellwood Thomspon’s from 2017 to 2024).
The Wrap
The Wrap
Happy Monday, RVA. As you prepare your plans for the week, keep in mind that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will offer free admission on Thursday in honor of Juneteenth. Be sure to check out the schedule for the full day’s events, from morning storytime to evening music with Ban Caribe.
}})
