Theaters
Information about Theaters in Richmond, VA during the Civil War.

Written Accounts

1865-04-18, Richmond Whig; Theatre closed last night “in view of the general grief at the death of President Lincoln.”
1865-04-20, Richmond Whig; great description of the "Antiquities of Richmond"
1865-05-19, Richmond Whig; Hero, the dog formerly used as a guard dog at Castle Thunder has been shipped North
1866-04-25, New York Herald; description of General Grant’s visit to Richmond – staying in the Spotswood and visiting battlefields.
1880-07-28, Richmond Dispatch; very interesting account from the man who commanded the Richmond prisons in 1865-66. Describes a romance between Col. Ordway and one of Judge Ould’s relatives as well as a secret prisoner (Professor McCullogh) kept in Castle
1893-01-22, Richmond Times; “A Fair Rebel,” a play about the Libby Prison tunnel escape will play the Richmond Theatre.
1893-01-24, Richmond Times; review of the play “A Fair Rebel,” based on the Libby Prison tunnel escape. Reviewer condemns the play’s attempt “to belittle the Southern and aggrandize the Northern character.”
1899-08-17, National Tribune; “A Union Man in Richmond;” part five of serial account. Describes the scene in Richmond in early to mid-1863. Mentions hedonistic activity at the Exchange, Ballard and Spotswood hotels; prostitution and gambling flourishing
1908-04-29, Richmond Times-Dispatch; Ben Greet, Shakespearean Actor, to give benefit performances at the old Van Lew mansion
1908-05-03, Richmond Times-Dispatch; Two Shakespeare plays to be performed in the yard of the Van Lew mansion by Ben Greet – benefit for the “Chimborazo Sanatorium”

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