News Release

The British Are Coming! Benedict Arnold's Raid on Richmond

NPS

News Release Date: December 22, 2022

Contact: Stephanie Pooler

The British are Coming!
Special event explores Richmond’s Revolutionary history and the impact of Benedict Arnold’s Raid 

RICHMOND, Va.— On Thursday, January 5, Saturday, January 7, and Sunday, January 8, 2023 the public is invited to join Richmond National Battlefield Park, Historic St. John’s Church, Henrico Recreation & Parks, and the Henrico County Public Library for their highly anticipated annual event interpreting Richmond’s Revolutionary history, including the capture of Richmond by British General Benedict Arnold on January 5, 1781. 
 

The event kicks off on Thursday, January 5 at 7 pm with a program by Mike Cecere at the Libbie Mill Library (2100 Libbie Lake St E, Richmond).  An author of 11 books on the American Revolution, Mr. Cecere will speak about Arnold’s Raid and the war in Virginia. This talk is free and open to the public. 
 

At 9 am on Saturday, January 7, a living history camp outside Chimborazo Medical Museum (3215 E Broad St, Richmond) will highlight the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the Revolution, with musket firing demonstrations taking place at 10 am, 11 am and 3 pm. At noon the public is invited to join living history reenactors and march from Chimborazo to Historic St. John’s Church (2401 E Broad St, Richmond). From 1 to 4 pm, speakers including Jennifer Epstein Rudnick, Bill Welsch, and Dr. Michael Dickinson will provide insights into the life and times of those living in Richmond in the 18^th century. Benedict Arnold will be on the church grounds to describe his role in the American Revolution. The talk schedule is: 
 

1 pm: Author Jennifer Epstein Rudnick “Search for the Signers: Searching for the Graves of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence” 

2 pm: Dr. Michael Dickinson “Loyalty to Liberty: African Americans in the Revolution”  

3 pm: Historian Bill Welsch “Where a Man Can Go- The Revolutionary Battle of Petersburg” 

4 pm: Benedict Arnold, portrayed by Marc Holma 
 

On Sunday, January 8, the event culminates with walking tours of Revolutionary Richmond meeting at 10 am on the grounds of Chimborazo Medical Museum and 1 pm in downtown Richmond at the Farm Fresh parking lot (2320 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23223). Visitors participating in the walking tours (1.5 and 2 miles respectively) are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. 
 

This event is free of charge. During the Saturday event the St. John’s Church Visitor Center and Gift Shop will be open. For more information, please contact Historic St. John’s Church at [phone] or the Richmond National Battlefield Park at [phone], or visit us online at www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.