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Battle of Richmond Visitors and History Center to open

August 25, 2008

RICHMOND - The Battle of Richmond Visitors and History Center will have its grand opening 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 5.

Located at 101 Battlefield Memorial Highway between Richmond and Berea, the Battle of Richmond Visitors and History Center will give visitors a taste of the pivotal American Civil War Battle of Richmond fought Aug. 29-30, 1862.

Fought in several stages, the Battle of Richmond is the second largest battle in the commonwealth of Kentucky and is thought by most Civil War historians to be one of the most, if not the most, complete victories one side had over the other in the entire Civil War.

The center is housed in the historic Rogers House, an early 1800s residence that witnessed much of the morning's and early afternoon's fighting south of Richmond. Scores of wounded filled the house and grounds for many days after the battle.

The Rogers House served as the post commander's dwelling for the Blue Grass Army Depot for many years. In 2005, the Army transferred ownership of the house to the Madison County Fiscal Court, and the court has been able to restore the house back to its 1862 appearance.

The first floor of the Visitors Center features a theatre with a documentary film about the battle, displays highlighting many aspects of the battle and a laser topographical map tracing both armies' movements.

The second floor features a temporary quilt display and a room dedicated to artifacts found on and near the battlefield. Many of the artifacts are on long-term loan from the Blue Grass Army Depot, where much fighting took place early in the day.

The park features more than one mile of walking trails lined with interpretive signs informing walkers of what happened where they stand and walk.

For more information and directions, call Phillip Seyfrit, historic properties director/battlefield superintendent, at (859) 624-0013.

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