Many historians estimate as many as twothirds of the most common types of light artillery used by the confederate army were captured from union forces. Of note are records detailing guns produced for the confederate states from 1861 to 1865, the use of slave labor, armor plates made for the css virginia, and pig iron receipt books. Tredegar iron works, one of richmonds most enduring industries. After the civil war, the contract books include contracts to. American civil war 1861 1865 there is more to the civil war. Tredegar iron works contributor names gardner, alexander, 18211882, photographer created published 1865 apr. One of the most important industrial landmarks in the nation lie. The acwm has made the difficult decision for all three locations to remain closed until the cdc and commonwealth of virginia states that its safe to reopen amid covid19. View all attractions near tredegar iron works on tripadvisor. A feature created for a pbs television station in 2011. Click here for the national historic landmark registration file tredegar iron works is open to the public, and entrance to it, including the national park service civil war visitor center, is free.
The citys location next to a waterpower source, its proximity to working coalfields, and the development of the railroad industry in the 1830s and 1840s, made richmond the iron. American civil war museum exploring the unparalleled. Located on the site of tredegar iron works, the american civil war center at historic tredegar is the nations first museum to explore the war from union, confederate and. Tredegar iron works ironmaker to the confederacy u. This series consists of clearance sheet books, company store books, foundry. The records document the history of one of the most important and largest ironmaking factories in virginia and the confederacy. The american civil war museum at historic tredegar set on the banks of the james river, the american civil war museum at historic tredegar is a national historic landmark. Tredegar iron works was part of the growing southern industry. Its main purpose is to assist visitors wishing to go to the 1862 and 1864 civil war battefields located around richmond.
The ironmaker to the confederacy tredegar iron works was the largest iron producer for the confederate army. Created published photographed 1865, printed later subject headings tredegar iron works richmond, va. The tredegar iron works was the most prodigious ordnance supplier to the confederacy during the civil war, as well as an industrial behemoth. Tredegar iron works ebook by nathan vernon madison.
His upcoming book on the history of tredegar iron works is his first major work concerning local and industrial history. In the nineteenth century the great south wales tredegar iron works operated at the head of the sirhowy valley on land owned by the morgan family of tredegar house, near the city of newport. The iron works survived destruction during the evacuation fire of 1865, and continued production through the middle of. During the railway age, the works supplied iron rail to the world. The tredegar was named in honor of its builder, reev davis, who had worked at the famous tredegar factory in wales. Named for the famous iron works at tredegar, wales, tredegar iron works opened in 1837 and stood as richmonds foremost business concern for more than a century. Incorporated in 1837, the tredegar iron works of richmond began as a small forge and rolling mill.
Tredegar supplied highquality munitions to the confederacy during the war. A picturesque historic site on the north bank of the james river, perfect for weddings, receptions, parties, and more. This book is his first major work of local and industrial history. An illustrated and descriptive cataloque of manufactures of tredegar iron works, joseph r. The railroads and canal brought with them pig iron and raw materials that supplied the iron works. The tredegar iron works in richmond, virginia, was the biggest ironworks in the confederacy. Richmonds foundry on the james, talked about the history of the iron works, which was one of the largest iron works in the country and served as. It was also the site of significant research and developement.
Tredegar iron works is located at 490 tredegar street and has been designated a national historic landmark. Tredegar iron works was of vital importance during the american civil war. Civil war artillery essential civil war curriculum. Dew masterfully describes tredegars struggle to supply the confederate nation with the weapons of war and is a seminal study of southern manufacturing and industrial slavery. Frequently asked questions about tredegar iron works. Producing over 1,100 canons and plating for ships, tredegar iron works work was pivotal to helping the confederate army. There were a few small privately owned iron works, small coal drifts and levels. One, in fact, serves as a visitor center at the richmond national battlefield park. Restaurants near tredegar iron works 500 tredegar st, richmond, va 232194330. A guide to the tredegar iron works records, 18571935. Tredegar iron works, richmond must see the tredegar iron works was a historic iron foundry in richmond, opened in 1837.
Named for the hometown of the welsh engineers who built it, tredegar remained one. Indeed, tredegar ironworks is the central office for the richmond. The tredegar company earned its wealth from iron and coal. Mid 18th century it was a beautiful area amongst forested hills with a few scattered farming homesteads.
The 10 best hotels near tredegar iron works in richmond. The american civil war center at historic tredegar. During the american civil war, the works served as the primary iron and artillery production facility of the confederate states of america. Today, the building has been repurposed into a museum, educating visitors on its purpose in civil war. A local historian finds tredegar stories in company. Charles dews unsurpassed ironmaker to the confederacy tells the story of the souths premier ironworks and its intrepid owner, joseph reid anderson. A guide to the tredegar iron works records, 18011957.
The tredegar iron works in richmond, virginia, was the biggest ironworks in the confederacy during the american civil war, and a significant factor in the decision to make richmond its capital tredegar supplied about half the artillery used by the confederate states army, as well as the iron plating for css virginia, the first confederate ironclad warship, which fought in the historic battle. The confederacy acquired about 2,000 light artillery pieces. The tredegar iron works was a historic iron foundry in richmond, virginia, united states of america, opened in 1837. Dew masterfully describes tredegar s struggle to supply the confederate nation with the weapons of war and is a seminal study of southern manufacturing and industrial slavery. The pig iron receipt book, 1861 january 2 to 1864 november 9. Tredegar iron works hiking medallion shop americas. While many of the original buildings were lost to war and time, some remain. Nathan madison author of tredegar iron works goodreads.
Tredegar is about 35 miles in a northerly direction from cardiff and about 24 miles from newport. For the rest of the war, the tredegar works produced naval cannons, field guns, rifled muskets, carbines, artillery shells, boilers and iron armor for ships, and railroad rails. For the ironworks in the us state of virginia, see tredegar iron works tredegar iron and coal company was an important 19th century ironworks in tredegar, wales, which due to its need for coke became a major developer of coal mines and particularly the sirhowy valley of south wales. The 10 best restaurants near tredegar iron works in. Tredegar iron works records, 18571935 accession 26601. Tredegar iron works richmonds foundry on the james by.
The tredegar iron works summary tredegar iron works, richmond, virginia. Includes receipts, 18571870, for axles, rails, engines, spikes, chairs, and wheels bought of tredegar by the baltimore and ohio, blue ridge, and rogersville and jefferson railroad companies, and receipts from the anderson family for purchases of family supplies such as. Named for the hometown of the welsh engineers who built it, tredegar remained one of richmonds chief industrial entities for over a century. The tredegar iron works was the most prodigious ordnance supplier to the confederacy during the civil war, as well as an industrial behemoth in its own right. It produced cannon, ammunition, small arms and other iron products including railroad rails and iron plates for ships. The result, this year, is his history tredegar iron works. Richmonds tredegar iron works, now a national historic landmark, opened in 1837, and, according to the national park service, was richmonds foremost. Records, 18571935, of the tredegar iron works of richmond, virginia. The tredegar iron works was established in richmond, virginia in 1836 and is still in operation today at a site in chesterfield county just south of the city. When the confederate army needed artillery, ammunition, or other weaponry, it turned to the tredegar ironworks in the heart of richmond, virginia. It is most closely associated with the industrial revolution and coal mining in the south.
Tredegar iron works by nathan vernon madison overdrive. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. With breathtaking views of downtown richmond, our venue offers over 18,000 square feet of space and plenty of parking for your entire party. By 1860, the tredegar iron works was the largest of its kind in the south, a fact that played a significant role in the decision to relocate the capital of the confederacy from montgomery, alabama, to richmond in may 1861. A recipient of a 1967 award of merit from the american association for state and local history a recipient of the 1966 fletcher pratt award, given by the civil war round.