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THE HISTORICAL
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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Church Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Mary Elizabeth Bowser

Women of Virginia Historic Trail

 
 
Mary Elizabeth Bowser Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021
1. Mary Elizabeth Bowser Marker
Inscription. Freed slave of the Van Lew family and indispensable partner to Elizabeth Van Lew in her pro-Union espionage work, she worked at the Confederate White House gathering and passing on military intelligence to the Union through Van Lew to General Grant.
 
Erected 1994 by Virginia Business and Professional Women's Foundation and Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansCommunications.
 
Location. 37° 31.882′ N, 77° 25.254′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Church Hill. It is on East Grace Street just west of North 24th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2301 E Grace St, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elizabeth Van Lew (here, next to this marker); Adams-Van Lew House (a few steps from this marker); Ann Carrington House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hilary Baker House (within shouting distance of this marker); George Wythe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 205 North 23rd Street
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(about 300 feet away); 2214-2220 E. Grace Street (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Historic St. John’s Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
 
Mary Elizabeth Bowser Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021
2. Mary Elizabeth Bowser Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 853 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jun. 13, 2026