Richmond, Kentucky is a city with a long and storied history, from its pioneering settlers to the Civil War and beyond. With its vibrant restaurant and shopping scene, Richmond has long been a popular destination for visitors. Home to Eastern Kentucky University, founded in 1906, the city is also close to Fort Boonesborough State Park and Natural Bridge State Park. At the heart of the city lies a replica of the settlement founded by Daniel Boone and his group over 250 years ago.
Reenactors demonstrate everyday 18th century crafts and skills, while numerous interpretive signs throughout the site are based on the latest archaeological research. White Hall is the home of emancipationist and minister of the United States to Russia, Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-190). Here you can meet several generations of the Clay family, including the daughters of Cassius Clay who were active suffragists in the early 20th century. Battlefield Park is located in the rolling farmland north of Richmond.
Here you can find Pleasant View house from 1824, which served as a hospital after the battle. The museum and visitor center located in the historic Rogers House from 1811 provides more information on the Battle of Richmond. Exhibits include period costumes and furniture, a preserved surgeon's kit, correspondence, flags, personal items of Union General Mahlon Manson (1820-189) and a series of objects recovered from the battlefield. Interwoven with downtown Richmond is the lush main campus of EKU located in the former headquarters of Central University (founded in 187).
The Colonial Renaissance-style Keen Johnson building with its beautiful pediment and dome was a 1939 WPA project, with a statue of Daniel Boone standing out on the front. The Hummel Planetarium opened in 1988 usually welcomes visitors to its theater to watch pre-recorded shows followed by a fascinating Star Talk presentation. Richmond's most important park is located on the west coast of a 75-acre fishing lake on the eastern outskirts of the city. Here you can find a large sports complex, as well as a 1.5-mile walking path, Universal Park, dog park and three shelters that can be reserved.
The play pool is accompanied by an eight-lane training pool and a diving area. The vines are planted on 500 bucolic acres with a 3.5-mile trail as part of the experience. Just off I-75 north of Richmond is an equestrian facility on 100 picturesque acres with two outdoor horseback riding tracks and a 12,000-square-foot indoor track. The star of the show is an 18-hole miniature course in front of the lake with nine holes that can be accessed according to ADA standards.
Adventure Falls has eight batting cages with state-of-the-art Iron Mike hands for rent when buying chips (one is good for 20 launches). If you don't mind the trip there's an excellent farmers' market in Lowe's parking lot at 814 Eastern Bypass. Right off I-75 in western Richmond there is an outdoor mall with numerous large stores and chain restaurants such as JC Penney, Dick's Sporting Goods, PetSmart, TJ Maxx, rue 21, Bath & Body Works and HomeGoods among others. Richmond also has a regional shopping mall, theaters, live shows, cultural activities and excellent restaurants. The Richmond Visitor Center provides maps for more than 70 historic residences, churches and civic buildings on their walking tour of downtown Richmond homes.
The Eastern Kentucky University campus houses an excellent performing arts center for great musical artists and comedians. On July 4th 1798, Richmond was officially named after Miller's birthplace - Richmond Virginia. Richmond is currently ranked as the seventh largest city in Kentucky four places higher than it was in 2000 census when it was eleventh largest city in Kentucky. On August 30th 1862 during Civil War Union and Confederate armies clashed in Battle of Richmond. Richmond has something for everyone - from its historical sites to its outdoor activities to its shopping centers - making it one of Kentucky's most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.
