Bethlehem Baptist Church
In 1828, nine people organized a Sunday school in a log schoolhouse, five miles from the Richmond city limits. Students from the Virginia Baptist Seminary, now the University of Richmond, helped it become the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The church received its charter on May 31, 1838 and built a new structure in 1839. It reportedly served as a first aid station during the Civil War, burned about 1870 and was rebuilt. A brick Gothic style church opened on July 25, 1909. On November 3, 1920, this structure burned. Members dedicated the present building, located on Penick Road, on November 6, 1921.
- Open during public services.
- (County of Henrico,1995 (HC3))
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Courtney Road Service Station
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.
- This is owned by the County of Henrico, and open only for special events.
- (County of Henrico)
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Forest Lodge Cupola
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, and it is now located on the corner of Mountain Road and Old Washington Highway.
- Available for viewing from the outside.
- (County of Henrico, November 2003 HCHS newsletter)
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Glen Allen School
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.
- Open to the public.
- (County of Henrico)
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Meadow Farm Museum
Sheppard and Elizabeth Crump were the last owners of the Sheppard family to own Meadow Farm. Sheppard Crump was the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard, and lived at Meadow Farm with Elizabeth until his death in 1960. In 1974, Meadow Farm was added to the Virginia Landmark Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Below shows Elizabeth Adam Crump and County officials meeting together in 1975 when she donated the Meadow Farm farmhouse and property to the County of Henrico in memory of her late husband, Sheppard Crump; she is seen below with County officials
Opened to the public in 1981, Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park presents programs, events, and exhibits on the cultures that have influenced the history of Henrico County, Virginia.
Historical interpreters provide insight into the lives of the Native Americans, African Americans, and several generations of the Sheppard family who have called the lands of Meadow Farm home. On selected weekends, focused history programs are offered for various ages. Tours of the historic 1810 farmhouse are offered throughout the year. Meadow Farm also features farm animals who enhance the experience at this living historical site. Gardens and plantings onsite reflect some of the varieties that may have been grown throughout the farm's history.
Meadow Farm Museum is within Crump Park, which also features playgrounds, picnic shelters, large open fields, and a fishing pond. Also, within Crump Park, is R.F.& P. Park which features athletic fields, picnic shelters, and four restored train cars.
- Open to the public.
- (County of Henrico, Meadow Farm Museum, County of Henrico Div. Rec and Parks)
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Walkerton Tavern
Massachusetts native John Walker acquired a large tract of land on both sides of Mountain Road and had Walkerton built in 1825. Walkerton served as a tavern and was the twin of Walker's residence across the road. The tavern was equipped with a wine cellar, three ice houses, and a 20 horse stable to accommodate its guests. Some of the bricks were fired at Meadow Farm. Walkerton served as a tavern from 1828 to 1829 and again in 1853. The Hopkins family purchased the property in 1857 and lived there until 1941 when the building and grounds were sold to George and Ruth Bowles. The County of Henrico purchased the property in 1995 from S. Douglas Fleet who acquired it in 1986. Except for the few years it served as a place of lodging, Walkerton was primarily a private residence. However in addition to serving as a field hospital for wounded Union cavalrymen in 1864, the dwelling also functioned as a store, post office, and voting precinct.
- This is owned by the County of Henrico, and open Mon-Fri 8-4:30 or on the weekend for special events, programs, and rentals.
- (County of Henrico)
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Brookland Sites: All Sites
Bethlehem Church | Courtney Road | Forest Lodge | Glen Allen | Meadow Farm | Walkerton
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