Name: Book Talk with Brent Tarter | Vignettes of Colonial and Revolutionary Virginia
Start: 2026-11-05
End: 2026-11-05

The John Marshall House, built in 1790 in the fashionable Court End neighborhood of Richmond, was the home of the Great Chief Justice for forty-five years. Listed on the National and Virginia Historic Registers, the John Marshall House has undergone remarkably few changes since Marshall’s lifetime. The house contains many original Marshall family pieces and the largest collection of Richmond made federal furnishings. Your guided tour of Marshall’s home will remove you from the bustling 21st century urban center of downtown Richmond into a time when the river city was just beginning to flourish as the new Capital of Virginia and the Court End neighborhood was a popular location to live. You can enjoy a guided tour of the house, take a stroll through the colorful garden, visit the museum shop or play a round of quoits (John Marshall's favorite game).

John Marshall House

Come see the oldest surviving brick structure in the City of Richmond, built for John Marshall and his family in 1790. The site, occupied by the Marshalls and 8-16 enslaved laborers, allows guests to enter the complex yet intriguing world of Richmond in the Early Republic. Learn about the Chief Justice’s legal impact, explore an incredibly preserved historic house and its furnishings, and learn the stories of those who endured and resisted during slavery on site. The John Marshall House is located in Richmond’s historic Court End district and is minutes away from the Virginia State Capitol and the Valentine Museum. Guided tours are available from 10:00am to 5:00pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from March–December.

The Library of Virginia’s collections are rich with records documenting the lives of African Americans in Virginia. "Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative" project aims to provide greater accessibility to pre-1865 African American history and genealogy found in the rich primary sources in its holdings. We also offer African American genealogy workshops and an African American Research Guide, and sponsor the annual Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program with Dominion Energy.

Library of Virginia

The Virginia Shop at the Library of Virginia specializes in Virginia-made products from food to jewelry and offers gifts and goodies with a literary twist. You can also find us at the Virginia State Capitol Building where we fill the demand for everything from Founding Father Bobbleheads to books on Virginia history for tourists and Virginia citizens alike.

The Virginia Shops

Located next to The National in downtown Richmond. Plan your event with us.

Vagabond

A historic concert venue in downtown Richmond.

The National

The church has a storied history. Among the luminaries who worshiped at St. Peter are John Banister Tabb, the Civil War poet whose thirty eight books comprised the collection of Richmond’s first public library. President John Tyler’s second wife worshiped and was buried at St. Peter Church, and her daughter was married in the church. St. John Neumann ministered to German immigrants in the basement of St Peter. Several of the church’s rectors became bishops elsewhere. Bishop James Gibbons, later Cardinal Gibbons of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, headed the Diocese of Richmond from St. Peter in the 1870s. His desk, which is estimated to be 150 years old, is still at the church.

St. Peter's Church of Richmond

St. Paul's Episcopal Church features an elegant example of Greek Revival architecture featuring Tiffany windows.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Richmond is your game board. Are you ready to play? Experience the ORIGINAL Amazing Race–style scavenger hunt — often imitated, never duplicated. Urban Adventure Quest transforms Richmond's Capitol City into a self-paced, clue-solving adventure that blends sightseeing, strategy, and just the right amount of friendly competition. Guided entirely from your smartphone, your team will navigate iconic landmarks and hidden gems, solving creative challenges while uncovering fascinating local history along the way. 2.5 - 3 hours of interactive fun Begins at the Old City Hall Play anytime during daylight hours Start when you want. Move at your pace. You’ll explore historic architecture, legendary hotels, vibrant parks, and stunning outdoor art — all while laughing, thinking, and collaborating with your crew. Perfect for: - Families - Friend groups - Date nights - Corporate team building Whether you’re a lifelong Richmonder or visiting for the weekend, this experience offers a fresh, engaging way to connect with the city — and with each other. Save 20% — Just $39.20 per team (2–5 people) Use Promo Code: VISITRICHMOND Register at: www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com Fresh air. Friendly competition. Real connection. And yes — we offer a no-worry, money-back guarantee.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure- Richmond

This Victorian Gothic building, completed as Richmond's city hall in 1894, is as dramatic inside with its 3-foot granite walls as it is outside. Now a private office building, the interior "courtyard" is a three-story painted cast-iron marvel. Troubled from the beginning, with a 400 percent cost overrun during its construction, the building was saved from demolition by the Historic Richmond Foundation. Visitors welcome on the first floor only. The building is open during normal business hours.

Old City Hall

We’re a community of runners, hikers, bikers and ballplayers. We’re an outdoor playground, designed by Mother Nature, with class III and IV rapids running right through our downtown. A 52-mile bike trail runs along the James. The Richmond Marathon and Ukrop’s 10k are huge celebrations, and the whole region comes out to cheer on our local teams. In fact, we’re so sports-minded that the Washington Redskins have their training camp right in the center of the city. Add to that awesome hotels, beautiful venues, attractions, art, craft beer, more than 900 restaurants and a convenient location, and you’ve got a top choice for your next sports event. Welcome to RVA!

From indoor to outdoor facilities, the Richmond region has the fields, pitches, diamonds, venues and the dedicated staff to ensure your event is a huge success. 



Sports Richmond, VA

How did ordinary people experience life in the colonial and Revolutionary eras, from the humdrum day-to-day happenings to the extraordinary events still familiar to millions? In his two books, “Vignettes of Colonial Virginia” and “Vignettes of Revolutionary Virginia,” historian Brent Tarter paints a vibrant, colorful portrait of the Old Dominion in the eras before and during the Revolution, presenting a collection of stories gathered from his career in archival research. Using the language of his historical subjects, Tarter brings the experience of the past to life.

With the 250th anniversary of the declaration of American independence upon us, both books situate the reader among the ordinary people who lived on the eve of those extraordinary times.

Tarter is a founding editor of the Library of Virginia’s “Dictionary of Virginia Biography” project. He will be joined in conversation by Carolyn Eastman, president of the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic and professor of history at Virginia Commonwealth University.

A book signing will follow the program. This event is part of the Library’s programming commemorating Virginia's role in the 250th anniversary of American independence.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Limited free parking is available underneath the Library at 800 East Broad Street. For more information, contact education@lva.virginia.gov.

Book Talk with Brent Tarter | Vignettes of Colonial and Revolutionary Virginia

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