Mechanics' Institute
Information about the Mechanics' Institute in Richmond, VA during the Civil War.

The Mechanics' Institute was located on Ninth street, facing the intersection of 9th and Bank street.

The building served a variety of purposes but for most of the war it served as the headquarters for the Confederate War and Navy Departments. During the early part of the war, R. E. Lee had his office here.

The building did not survive the evacuation fire.

Written Accounts

1883-04-01, Richmond Dispatch; incredibly detailed recollections of the evacuation of Richmond – gives reliable chronology of events of the fire and occupation
1894-06-30, Richmond Dispatch; great description of Richmond for the Confederate reunion, focusing on how much has changed since the war
1899-07-27, National Tribune; "A Union Man in Richmond;" description of sentiment in Richmond leading up to secession; John Minor Botts' speech at the African Church, and the Secession Convention in the Mechanics' Institute.
1900-09-27, National Tribune; "The Fall of Richmond" Part one of Hiram Peck's [10th CT Inf] excellent memoir describing advancing on Richmond from Fort Burnham on April 3, 1865, and the occupation of Richmond.
1904-02-10, Richmond Times-Dispatch; excellent details on the evacuation fire in Richmond, April 3, 1865. Compares the fire to the recent fire in Baltimore
1909, Confederate Veteran 17, p. 215; Watehall, E. T. “Fall of Richmond, April 3, 1865.”

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