A farmhouse dating to 1810 offers a vivid introduction to Henrico’s past: the Meadow Farm Museum provides tours of the historic house year-round. It also features a living collection of domesticated birds and mammals. The breeds represented are those historically kept on the Shepperd family farm. Here, the history of the building and the animal husbandry of a family farm come together in the same museum.
Historical Traces and Stories
The James River also tells of Henrico’s early history. Even before English settlers officially founded Henrico County in 1611, the river made the area an important trading place for Indigenous people. Historical markers in Henrico highlight other aspects of the county’s past: they name notable people, places, and events and share the stories associated with them.
The Springfield Schoolhouse draws attention to the Short Pump community. Built around 1920 to educate the community’s African American students, it served that purpose until the early 1950s. Its focus is the history of the Springfield Schoolhouse and the community it served.
Nature, Animals, and Culture
At the Three Lakes Nature Center, live animal enclosures sit alongside interactive displays, digital signage, and changing exhibits about Virginia’s native ecosystems. Its focus brings live animals together with displays about regional ecosystems. At the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, topics include floral design, bird-watching, and beekeeping. The Henrico Theatre offers a different cultural experience, with a varied arts program and films for all ages.
Parks with Different Features
Crump Park and Dorey Park offer different features to consider when choosing a park to visit. Crump Park has trails and large open meadows, as well as a fishing pond, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. The combination of open spaces, water, and designated places to take a break makes the park’s features easy to distinguish.
At Dorey Park, a walking path runs along a large pond, while winding trails also pass through wooded areas. A connection to the Virginia Capital Trail allows trail users to travel nearly three-quarters of a mile into Dorey Park. Other activities complement these routes: the park has an 18-hole disc golf course and about five miles of horseback riding trails. An equestrian arena is open to the public on weekdays. The approximate length of the riding trails and the arena’s weekday public access are two distinct practical details.
Water Access and Activities
Osborne Boat Landing has three double boat slips and a canoe launch available from dawn to dusk. Osborne Park offers a different focus: there, an accessible fishing pier extends into the James River. Despite their similar names, these are different ways to enjoy the water—boating and canoeing at the landing, and fishing from the pier in the park.
Together, these discoveries range from farm history and memorial sites to ecosystems, park trails, and activities on the water. To plan your own visit, consider the interests that appeal to you most: historical stories, changing nature exhibits, open meadows and wooded trails, or the specific activities available around the river.
Discover more destinations: Sandston, Dumbarton, Glen Allen, Henrico, Tuckahoe, Spotsylvania County, Northumberland County, Chesapeake.
View the main travel guide: Virginia.
