Preserve America is a White House initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the U.S. Departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; and the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

Preserve America Community:
Richmond, Kentucky

Richmond (population 27,152) was named after the capital of Virginia. It was the scene of a major Civil War Confederate victory in 1862, when General Kirby Smith defeated General William Nelson's Union forces.

Although the main battleground is six miles south of town, a heavily contested retreat left many buildings bearing the marks of battle. A Civil War driving tour and audio narrative has been created.

The downtown area contains three National Register Historic Districts comprised largely of 19th-century structures, including the Irvinton House Museum that now serves as the Richmond Visitor Center, a first stop for heritage tourists.

The city is a farming, cattle ranching, and industrial center, as well as home to Eastern Kentucky University.

For more information

City of Richmond: www.richmond.ky.us
Richmond Tourism Department: www.richmond-ky.com

Updated November 23, 2004

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Designated Preserve America Communities