According to its motto, “Such is the way to the stars”, Richmond, Virginia, emanates a guiding light that welcomes everyone into its historic boundaries. Richmond has something for all tastes and interests. Richmonders are widely known for their warm embrace of visitors and our easygoing way of life. While you may leave your heart in San Francisco, and create warm memories at Disney World, you’ll always have a friend in Richmond. Perhaps the greatest testament to the generous hospitality and welcoming spirit that the city and her residents provide is the vast diversity of citizens from other regions of the United States and the world who have chosen to settle in The River City. Whether your interests focus on exploring history, shopping, dining out, or just taking in beautiful scenery, Richmond has something just for you.

Richmond is ideally located within the Commonwealth of Virginia and in the Eastern United States. Richmond, Virginia’s capital city is located approximately 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., and only 2 hours from the beaches of the Atlantic. Richmond is only 2 hours away from the majestic mountain ranges of Western Virginia, and just an hour’s drive away from the historic sites of Colonial Williamsburg. By train or highway, Richmond is less than a day’s travel from major cultural and economic centers such as New York City, and Atlanta, Georgia. A clear and powerful testament to Richmond’s advantageous strategic location is the decision by numerous major corporate firms and government agencies to base important facilities in the city. Among other prestigious corporate residents of Richmond are Circuit City, Ethyl Corporation, Suntrust Bank, and Philip Morris. The Federal Reserve Bank is situated along the city’s historic canal walk. Further enhancing Richmond’s attributes, as a commercial and corporate center is the state-of-the-art Port of Richmond that is located on the city’s South side adjacent to I-95.

Regarding an earlier period in American history, the Colonial period, Richmond features landmarks which were the site of many of the momentous events, which initiated the drive for American independence. In Richmond’s historic Church Hill stand St. John’s Church, where the great American patriot Patrick Henry extolled to his colleagues in the Virginia House of Burgesses to “Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death.” The State Capital building rests in the heart of Downtown Richmond and features the Capitol Rotunda that was designed by Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s greatest Presidents and thinkers. The Virginia Historical Society sits adjacent to the Fine Arts Museum of Richmond in the city’s near West End and offers one of the best selections of rare documents and artifacts available in the United States.

Richmond also offers some of the nation’s most impressive landmarks and venues associated with African-American history. In Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward district stands an inviting statue that pays tribute to the legendary American entertainer, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Jackson Ward is also the home of the Mrs. Maggie L. Walker House, which is the former residence of its namesake. Richmond native Maggie Walker was one of America’s most successful and historically significant entrepreneurs. She was the first American woman to found a bank, Consolidated Bank and Trust Co., which today remains the nation’s oldest continuously operating African-American owned bank. Richmond’s venerable Monument Avenue not only celebrates luminaries of the Confederacy, but also hosts a beautiful statue that celebrates the work and life of tennis great and human rights activist Arthur Ashe, a native son of Richmond.

Adding to Richmond’s wide appeal to people of all walks of life is the city’s stature as a major center of education. Learning is a life-long process and in addition to its vast array of historic sites, Richmond is host to a number of America’s most respected educational institutions. Richmond is the quintessential college town. The River City is home to three universities and one of the nation’s most well regarded community colleges. Much of central Richmond houses the urban campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, an institution that is acclaimed globally for its leading programs in such fields as business, engineering, the arts, and medicine. On Richmond’s North Side sits Virginia Union University, one of the nation’s most well respected Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Virginia Union has produced distinguished graduates who have made important achievements in the fields of science, government, business, education, and religion.

Richmond’s West End is the home to the University of Richmond, which every year is rated by the publication U. S. News and World Report as either the #1 or #2 rated Liberal Arts University in the South. The University of Richmond is widely recognized as having a supremely knowledgeable and talented faculty and standard setting programs in the fields of business, law, and leadership studies. Additionally, J. Seargent Reynolds community college plays a vital role in the educational landscape of the Richmond Community and the Commonwealth of Virginia by preparing students for further collegiate study and the workforce. Former Virginia Governor, Mills Godwin, was a national leader in emphasizing the necessity to create and maintain a strong community college system and the Reynolds campus located in Downtown Richmond plays a central role in that mission.

Richmond offers a wide diversity of dining and recreational options. True connoisseurs will enjoy the sumptuous meals at the 5-star Lemaire Restaurant or the famous Sunday brunch at the historic Jefferson Hotel. Richmond’s Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom commercial and entertainment areas offer a wide assortment of culinary offerings ranging from the relaxing atmosphere and delicious servings of the Tobacco Company Restaurant, to the outstanding meat and seafood selections of Sam Miller’s Warehouse, to the irresistible Latin flavor and cuisine of Havana 59, to the delectable Pizza served at the Bottom’s Up restaurant. Most recently, Richmond got its own Morton’s Steakhouse where customers can enjoy the finest beef and other entrees imaginable. Other areas of Richmond, whether it is the West End, East End, North Side, or South Side, offer their own dining treasures.

The Richmond Republican Committee is of a very respectable size and is quite active in state and national politics. Richmond Republicans work successfully with the Republican counterparts and like-minded Independents and Democrats to elect outstanding conservative leaders such as Senators John Warner and George Allen and Congressman Eric Cantor. The Richmond GOP is committed to working in support of more Republican candidates spread their positive message and advance a thoughtful agenda that meets the needs of our community. As Republicans we are united by a preference for limited government, lower taxes, less government spending and personal responsibility. We value principle, but we impose no litmus tests. Everyone is respected for expressing his/her respective views regarding the multitude of public policy issues confronting the City of Richmond, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America.