Near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Grace Evelyn Arents

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

1. Grace Evelyn Arents Marker

Inscription. Grace Arents was a visionary social reformer and philanthropist whose quiet determination and generosity transformed Richmond. Her passions were children, nature, books, architecture, and her church. To aid the poor, “Miss Grace” established the city's first public housing and visiting nurse system; built schools, a gym, a playground, a kindergarten, and churches, introducing a sweeping array of health, educational, and vocational reforms. She also built Richmond's first free circulating-library. Arents converted her Henrico estate, Bloemendaal Farm, into a children's convalescent home and later a model farm. Ultimately she bequeathed it to the city to become the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden honoring her beloved uncle, entrepreneur Lewis Ginter.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E 3-a.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.

Location. 37° 37.099′ N, 77° 28.214′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is at the intersection of

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Lakeside Avenue and Club Road, on the left when traveling north on Lakeside Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico VA 23228, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and 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: Belmont (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gabriel's Rebellion (approx. ¾ mile away); Gabriel’s Insurrection (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Fort Under Attack (approx. 0.8 miles away); Confederate Fortifications (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Stuart's Ride (approx. 0.8 miles away); Outer Fortifications (approx. 0.9 miles away); Richmond Defences (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Stuart's Ride (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. (Submitted on April 7, 2012.)
2. The Invisible Philanthropist: Grace Arents, a shy heiress, transformed her city. Richmond Magazine (May 2009) (Submitted on April 7, 2012.)

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

2. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 938 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.