Belle Isle 的河岸风光，远处同时有火车通过。

Belle Isle是位于James River下游浅河床上的一个无人岛。在美国内战期间岛上有人居住，并建立了一座战争监狱和一个村庄。在随后的20世纪，这里被用作一个水力发电站场地，直到1963年水电站被废弃。如今，作为一个州政府拥有的地块，Belle Isle成为了一个城市公园。这里拥有优美的风景，清爽的空气，还有各种野生动物以及它们的自然居住场所。公园最引人注目的地方在于，这一切景观离里士满市中心地区仅有数分钟的距离。Belle Isle可以通过一座位于Robert E. Lee大桥下面的悬索桥进入，步行或骑车均可。如果James River（詹姆斯河）的水位不是太高，Belle Isle也可以由河的南岸进入，通过跳石头的方式。在Belle Isle上，人们可以欣赏到Browns Island（布朗岛），Forest Hill（森林山）公园，旧Tredegar铁器厂，以及里士满城市的天际线。Belle Isle有数条徒步或骑车路径，在路径之上，还有很多旧建筑和铁路的遗址可供观赏和体验。

水电站旧址。

因为Belle Isle有足够的植被，同时免受频繁的人类活动的干扰，岛上有不少野生动物。这是一个不寻常的城市中心之景。各种鸣鸟，水鸭，鸬鹚和蓝鹭都比较常见，同时，松鼠等小型哺乳动物，以及一些两栖及爬行动物也在岛上居住。Belle Isle是一个周末休闲及户外活动的安全好去处。大人和小朋友都喜欢的热门活动包括路径徒步，在James River上游泳，跳石头，晒太阳，观鸟，划独木舟和小船，以及在石头上野餐 — 同时近距离欣赏数米外的急流。

连接Belle Isle和詹姆斯河的石头河床。

Belle Isle入口风光。

Belle Isle同时靠近另一个开放的草地公园—布朗岛（Browns Island）。在布朗岛上人们可以观看城市的工业结构，在James River河床亲水，参观历史场所（旧Tredegar铁器厂，如今弗吉尼亚内战纪念中心），参加徒步路径，以及音乐会等。一年一度的里士满乡村音乐节在此举行。风景优美的T. Tyler Potterfield步行桥连接着布朗岛和James River的南岸。这条步行桥平行着内战期间的Mayo桥的遗址。在水位不是太高的情况下，James River的南岸也可以到达Belle Isle，把两座岛屿和河岸连在一起。这两座岛屿，以及桥梁和历史遗址，共同组成了一个休闲娱乐教育场所。它们是是James River公园系统的一部分，并且是里士满城市的皇冠。

布朗岛风光：

时间：
全年开放。
8:30 am – 9:30 pm (夏季)
8:30 am – 5:30 pm (冬季)

布朗岛地址（可以在此通过悬索桥进入Belle Isle）：
S 7th St, Richmond, VA 23219

网站：
Bells Isle: http://www.jamesriverpark.org/visit-the-park/getting-there.php
Browns Island: http://www.brownsisland.com/

Shockoe Bottom城市社区

Sarah Bice · July 28, 2017

English Version

从Church Hill观望的里士满城市天际线，近处为Shockoe Bottom, 远处为市中心。

Shockoe Bottom是里士满市区内历史最悠久的区域之一，这里的街区肌理仍然在很大程度上保留了陆军上校William Mayo在1737年作的里士满城市规划。Shockoe Bottom在里士满市中心和Church Hill（直译“教堂山”）之间，沿着James River（詹姆斯河）分布。它是一个长条型的城市社区，并且是如今市区内一个富有活力的居住，餐饮和夜生活娱乐中心。

在历史上，Shockoe Bottom是里士满的交通，经济和工业枢纽。随着弗吉尼亚州的州府搬迁至里士满，这一区域在18世纪末期开始发展。很快，这里就变成了一个繁忙的城市交汇之处，融合了来自铁路，运河，城市和旧Mayo马车桥的交通。值得一提的是，旧Mayo马车桥如今仍有桥墩留存。这些桥墩就在现今的14街跨河大桥之下，并且可以在布朗岛（Browns Island）步行桥上观看。18到19世纪的Shockoe Bottom是里士满的烟草业中心，同时这里也在美国历史上的奴隶交易里扮演了重要地位，直到内战结速为止。奴隶贸易带来的利润催生了美国南部的富裕白人阶层，并推动了里士满的经济。在战前，市内的15街被誉为南方的华尔街。

然而，在1865年4月，里士满被北方联军收复的前夜，原来的Shockoe Bottom区域被彻底摧毁了。撤退的南方邦联军点燃了这里的烟草仓库，大火从Shockoe Bottom开始蔓延，最终烧毁了当年25%的里士满城区。Shockoe Bottom在战后被迅速重建，建成了大部分保存至今的历史城区。战后的Shockoe Bottom仍然是里士满乃至美国南部的烟草业及交通中心，同时附近的美国联邦政府机构也为这里的商业带来了多样性。在建筑学上说，战后重建的建筑大多数属于英式意大利风格和维多利亚风格的商业变种，进入20世纪初，这里也加入了装饰艺术风格的建筑。Shockoe Bottom的烟草业最终在1960年前后被废弃，社区一度萧条。它的重新激活则发生在1980年之后，由数个艺术馆牵头，包括如今的1708艺术馆和Artspace艺术中心。

许多历史上的烟草仓库，包括不少拥有装饰艺术风格的个体，如今被改建成为了loft住宅。

如今，Shockoe Bottom的建筑主要用于饭店，零售商业，办公和居住的用途。近年来区内还增设了一个农贸市场。该区域仍然是里士满的休闲艺术区的一部分，它离现在的艺术中心Plant Zero很近，并且也拥有自己的阁楼式公寓（loft）和工作室式住宅（home studio）。一些旧的闲置烟草仓库仍然屹立在区域内，告诉着过往人流该地乃至整个里士满的多层历史印记。Shockoe Bottom如今有很多酒店式公寓，让其成为了一个便利而设施良好的城市居住区。这里也有不少出名的高品质餐馆，包括拥有河岸餐厅和酒吧的Boathouse at Rocketts Landing。其他出名餐馆包括Havana ‘59，Bottoms Up Pizza，River City Diner，Station 2，和Millie’s Diner等。Shockoe Bottom区域内的公共社区是一个运河公园。在这里，人们可以近距离参观城市的工业结构，尤其是那个火车站附近的著名的Shockoe Bottom五层立交桥 — 三条铁路和两条高速在此层叠，延伸到巨大的防洪墙的内外。新建筑和老建筑，殖民地风格和工业风格，大体量结构和小型空间，这些不同建筑风格的融合打造出Shockoe Bottom独特的空间美感。Shockoe Bottom同时也离Church Hill很近，在那里，人们可以观赏到整个里士满天际线的风光，包括了山上的一个微型自由女神像。

巨大的城市防洪墙，保护了Shockoe Bottom盘地和里士满市区不受詹姆斯河的周期性洪水的侵袭。

街区及餐馆照片

ENG

Shockoe Bottom

Sarah Bice · July 21, 2017

中文版

View of Shockoe Bottom and downtown Richmond from Church Hill.

Shockoe Bottom is one of Richmond city’s oldest neighborhoods, as the street blocks and zonings remains largely identical to Colonel William Mayo's initial city plan of Richmond in 1737 . Shockoe Bottom locates between downtown Richmond and Church Hill, along the James River, creating a long slip riverside neighborhood. Today, the area is a bustling hub for city living, cuisine and nightlife.

Historically, Shockoe Bottom was a main transportation hub for Richmond city. The traffics, combining with the location, have established the area as the city's industrial and commercial center. Shockoe Bottom began developing in the late 18th century following the move of the state capital to Richmond. Soon the neighborhood became the busy intersection of railways, river and canal traffics, and city roads, including the old Mayo’s bridge. This wagon and pedestrian bridge was a key feature contributing to the neighborhood's thriving. And today, its remaining piers are still sitting next to the modern 14 Street bridge, which can be observed from Browns Island city park. Shockoe bottom was the center of Richmond’s and southern America's tobacco industry, It also played a major role in slavery in the United States before the end of the Civil War. Profits from the slave trades fueled the creation of wealth for Southern whites and drove the economy in Richmond, leading 15th Street to be known as "Wall Street of the South" before the war.

The mixed intersection of highways and railways near Main Street Train Station.

However, the original Shockoe Bottom was completely destroyed on the eve of the fall of Richmond to the Union Army in April 1865. The evacuating Confederate forces set fire to the tobacco warehouses. The fire spread from Shockoe Bottom, eventually destroyed 25% of the whole Richmond city. Shockoe Bottom was quickly rebuilt after the war, forming much of its present historic building stock. It was still the center of tobacco industry and railway intersections, while its proximity to many downtown federal government buildings also added diversity to the business. Architecturally, many of the buildings constructed during the rebuilding period are a commercial variant of the Italianate style. Coming to 19th and early 20th century, Art Deco and Victorian style buildings were added. The tobacco industry was eventually abandoned in the 1960s, followed by the decades-long decline of this ares. Shockoe Bottom was revitalization in the 1980s, lead by the stationing of several art galleries—incluidng what would be today’s 1708 Gallery and Artspace.

Many historical tobacco warehouses and Art Deco style buildings are converted to lofts.

Today, the buildings in Shockoe Bottom are primarily restaurants, shops, offices, and apartments. A farmer’s market was also built in recent years. Shockoe Bottom is still part of the city’s recreational and creative area, being closed to Plant Zero—the current art center near downtown across James River. Some old unused tobacco warehouse still remains, reminding the passenger’s about the area’s and Richmond city’s history. Shockoe Bottom now has many high-end lofts, studios, and serviced apartments, making it a convenient and well-developed spot for urban living. This area also hosts several finest restaurants of the city, including the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing—featuring waterfront dinings and bars, as well as Havana ‘59, Bottoms Up Pizza, River City Diner, Station 2, and Millie’s Diner. A canal city park was added in the 1990s after the completion of the city's floor wall. In this highlighted area, people can walk around the old canals and admire the city's industrial and transportation complexes, especially the famous five-deck traffic intersection near the Main Street Train Station, This intersection has three railways and two highways, spreading inside and outside the massive concrete flood walls. The mix between old and new, colonial and industrial, massive and delicate, gives this area a unique architectural aesthetic. Shockoe Bottom is also close to Church Hill, another historical, well-maintained and charming neighbourhood, where one can observe the whole downtown Richmond city alongside with the unique miniature Statue of Liberty.

The floor wall that keeps Shockoe Bottom basin and Richmond downtown safe from Jame River's periodical flooding.

More Images: Shockoe Bottom streets and restaurants

纪念大道（Monument Avenue）

Sarah Bice · July 12, 2017

English Version

纪念大道（Monument Avenue）是里士满的一个著名地标式道路。这条道路同时也是美国最大的邦联军（美国内战期间的南方政府军）纪念场地之一。纪念大道上李将军（Robert E. Lee）雕像所在的环岛是默认的里士满市区中心点。纪念大道是里士满的一个旅游热点。“纪念大道历史区域”在美国国家级历史性地标区域的名单之中。在2007年，美国城市规划委员会（American Planning Association，简称APA）将里士满的纪念大道列为美国最美的十大街道之一。APA将入选的原因归结为“历史性的建筑风格，城市结构，高质量的居住及宗教建筑，多样化的土地使用，公共艺术，以及多种交通方式的融合。” （来源：Richmond Times Dispatch, APA）

纪念大道是一条保护良好的历史性道路。道路中间有一条延续全路段的宽阔隔离带，划分开东西向的车流。隔离带上面有可供人行走的草地以及大量的树木。大道上有五座美国内战期间来自弗吉尼亚的邦联军领导人的雕像，包括罗伯特·E·李（Robert E. Lee）将军，J.E.B. Stuart将军，南方邦联的总统杰弗逊·戴维斯（Jefferson Davis），汤姆斯·“石墙”·杰克逊（Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson）将军，以及海军将领Matthew Fontaine Maury。这五座雕像在1890年到1925年间被树立，其中首先被树立的是李将军的雕像。纪念大道上的大部分建筑，包括一些具有建筑学价值的个体，均在这一时期内一并落成。第六座雕像，Arthur Ashe，一位来自于里士满本地的国际网球明星，在1996年树立，坐落在纪念大道接近West End的一端。

纪念大道上的南方邦联军将领雕像（罗伯特·E·李，J.E.B. Stuart，以及杰弗逊·戴维斯）

从1890年纪念大道成立开始，这种在市区内显著地放置在内战期间代表支持奴隶制一方的将领的做法，就引起了不少的争议。该争议最终点燃了一个更广泛的讨论话题：如何展示和陈述里士满的历史。这座城市作为美国内战期间南方邦联军的首都，具有一段独特而且有争议的过去。和这一长达127年的争议一并发展的，是纪念大道在里士满城市里的地位。大道以及周边区域的长足发展让一度的市郊烟草种植园变成了如今的著名历史地标。纪念大道是数个本地年度活动的举办地，包括春季的“两英里长跑／徒步”活动，以及同样在春季的复活节游行。纪念大道在里士满市区内的部分还是一个设计精美的高端住宅区。同时，由于该地的雕像和纪念碑的名气，纪念大道还为里士满的旅游业贡献了显著的客源。在2017年6月，里士满市长Levar Stoney指派了一个新的10人委员会，以“调研恰当的方式来为这些雕像加入历史背景教育，并在同时修建新的历史纪念设施”。（来源：Richmond Times Dispatch）

纪念大道本身，除去这些历史雕像，也自带有优美怡人的风景。参观大道的最佳季节为春季和秋季。在春季，各种植物和樱花树争先绽放，将纪念大道变成了一条长达数英里的充满生机的鲜花绿道。在秋季，大道上众多的树木纷纷被染成红黄和琥珀色，地表上也会覆盖上厚厚的一层落叶。大道上还有一些拥有建筑学价值的楼房个体，包括了几座教堂，Stuart广场大楼，以及Branch博物馆—该博物馆是设计了华盛顿国家美术馆的建筑师John Russell Pope的早年作品。大道在市区内的区段是石板路铺装，这一处理手法降低了车流速度，营造了一段优美的慢速驾驶观光体验。另一个体验大道的方式是在隔离带上步行或慢跑，或者是在侧道上骑车。

纪念大道上的房屋多数为殖民地风格，当然也有少数不一样的个体。

日落下的纪念大道

Branch博物馆，以及一座教堂

地点：
1603-3681 Monument Ave,
Richmond, VA 23220

ENG

Monument Avenue

Sarah Bice · July 12, 2017

中文版

Monument Avenue is a famous landmark in Richmond, Virginia. It is also one of the largest Confederate monuments in the United States. It is the traditional focal point of Richmond—with the Lee circle being the center of Richmond city, and also a popular tourist destination. "Monument Avenue Historic District" is listed as a National Historic Landmark District. In 2007, the American Planning Association ranked Monument Avenue one of the 10 Great Streets in the country. It was selected for the “historic architecture, urban form, quality residential and religious architecture, diversity of land uses, public art and integration of multiple modes of transportation” (Richmond Times Dispatch, APA).

Monument avenue is a preserved historical avenue with a tree-lined grassy mall in the center dividing the east- and westbound traffic, with five statues memorializing Virginian Confederate participants of the Civil War Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, Jefferson Davis, Thomas "Stonewall"Jackson, and Matthew Fontaine Maury. These five statues were erected between 1890 to 1929, with Lee’s one being the first. Most of the buildings alongside the avenue, including many architecturally significant ones, were also built around this era. The sixth statue, Arthur Ashe, a Richmond native and international tennis star, was added in 1996 near the West End section of the avenue.

The Confederate Monuments (Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, and Jefferson Davis).

The prominent placements of these Confederate statues has been debated from the very start after the completion of Lee’s one. The debates have infused more broader discussions about how to represent and narrate Richmond’s history — the former Capital of the Confederacy. Alongside with the 127-year-long debate, the importance of Monument Avenue continued to rise, turning the once tobacco fields into today’s famed historical landmark. Several events are held annually, including the locally-famous spring Monument Avenue 10K race, and the "Easter on Parade,” which is also in spring. The blocks has been a flavored, high-end living area for Richmond’s upper class, especially in the Fan section. Monument Avenue has also become well-known for the memorials and the preserved historical buildings, contributing a solid part to Richmond’s tourism industry. In June 2017, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has appointed a 10-member commission to “study ways to add context to these memorials, likely with new historical signage” (Richmond Times Dispatch).

The avenue itself, aside from the statues, has significant beauty on its own. The best season to experience the avenue is Spring and Autumn. In Spring, blooming floras and cherry blossom trees make Monument Avenue a miles-long strip of lively, delightful flowers and new leaves. In autumn, the avenue has clusters of trees dyed in red, amber and yellow, while the grassy malls are covered in thick leaves. The avenue also has various magnificent buildings, including several churches and chapels, the Stuart court building, and the Branch Museum — which is built by John Russell Pope, the architect behind the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.. The avenue’s section between Lombardy Street and Boulevard is paved in stone, which has reduced the speed of traffic and created an enjoyable slow-ride experience. Another great way to experience Monument Avenue is to walk or jog on the grass mall in the center, while cycling is also an option on the sidewalks.

The majority of the houses on Monument Avenue are in Colonial style, with some exceptions.

Monument Avenue in sunset

Branch Museum, and a Church

Location:
1603-3681 Monument Ave,
Richmond, VA 23220

ENG

Belle Isle

Sarah Bice · July 9, 2017

中文版

Belle Isle river bank with train passing.

Belle Isle is an uninhabited island on the shallow beds of James River. It hosted a village and a prison during the Civil War, and hosted a hydroelectric power plant in the 20th century until 1963. Now, being owned by the state, Belle Isle serves as a scenic city park with wildlife in its natural habitat, as a location only a few minutes away from the heart of downtown Richmond city. The island is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. Lee Bridge from the northern shore of the James. Except when the water level of the James River is high, Belle Isle is also reachable by foot from the southern shore via easy boulder-hopping. From Belle Isle, people can observe Browns Island, Hollywood Cemetery, Forest Hill park, the old Tredegar Iron Works, and Richmond City's skyline. Belle Isle has several bike and foot trails around the island, with many old and ruined buildings, among other run-down sites and railways along the trails.

Historical sites.

Because Belle Isle contains enough vegetation, without the interference of constant human activities, the island is home to several wildlife, an uncommon presence within the city's borders. Songbirds, ducks, cormorants and blue herons are a common sight. Squirrels, other small mammals, amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the island. Belle Isle is a great place for safe weekend getaways and outdoor adventures. Popular activities of adults and youths alike include walking the trails, swimming in the James River, rock jumping, sunbathing, birdwatching, kayaking and rafting in the James, and boulder-top picnicking only feet away from fierce rapids.

River beds, boulders and activities.

Belle Isle is close to the open, grassy Browns Island as another city park. Browns Island offers industrial structures and waterway views, historical sites (the old Tredegar Iron Works, now Virginia Civil War Center), walking paths, and concerts. The yearly Richmond Folk Music Festival takes places here. The scenic T. Tyler Potterfield Pedestrian Bridge connects Browns Island to the southbank of James River. The pedestrian bridge runs alongside with the remains of the old Mayo bridge from the Civil War era. The southbank of James River also provides connection to Bells Isle when the water level is not high. These two islands, bridges and historical sites function as a recreational and educational complex, as part of the James River Park system, and the crown of Richmond city.

Views from Browns Island:

Hours
Open 365 days a year.
8:30 am – 9:30 pm (summer)
8:30 am – 5:30 pm (winter)

Address (Browns Island, access to Belle Isle via suspension bridge)
S 7th St, Richmond, VA 23219

Website
Bells Isle: http://www.jamesriverpark.org/visit-the-park/getting-there.php
Browns Island: http://www.brownsisland.com/

history

Belle Isle 河州公园