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

A Place of Refuge

Photographed By David Graff, May 17, 2011

1. A Place of Refuge Marker

Inscription. The Crew house and its outbuildings soon became one of the battlefield's most recognizable features. Little is known of the family that lived here during the war other than that they did not remain inside the home during the battle. However, Union soldiers, especially the wounded, sought out its protection. A nearby well proved especially popular, providing cool water to soothe those suffering from thirst. Sadly, many brought here did not survive.

"We proceeded to the small enclosed garden facing James River, which was in front of the house, and we found our progress to the steps of the front porch obstructed by the Federal dead. The wounded had all been moved, but there were a dozen bodies lying in the small enclosure, and in order to open our way it was necessary to remove three dead men before we could reach the porch." — Joseph C. Brent, Confederate staff officer

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 24.751′ N, 77° 15.156′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker can be reached from Willis Church Road (Virginia Route 156) 0.2 miles north of Carters Mill Road (County Route 606)

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, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located along the Malvern Hill Battlefield Trail next to the Crew House fence in the Malvern Hill Battlefield Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9070 Willis Church Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Advantages of Terrain (a few steps from this marker); The Crew House (a few steps from this marker); The Malvern Hill Crest (within shouting distance of this marker); “the grandest sean of all” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freeman Marker (about 400 feet away); Malvern Hill (about 400 feet away); Malvern Cliffs (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Malvern Cliffs (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

More about this marker. At the time of the visit, the Crew House was on private property. Since then, the Civil War Trust has started efforts to purchase the property.

Also see . . . The Battle of Malvern Hill. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on January 25, 2014.)

Additional keywords. Malvern Hill, Crewe

The Crew House ca 1898 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Graff, May 17, 2011

2. The Crew House ca 1898

Detail from the marker photograph.

"The Crew House around 1898. One of the earliest known images of the house and surrounding landscape. The wartime structure burned shortly after the war and this home was rebuilt on the original site. It remains a private residence today." — Photo courtesy Dayton History

The Crew House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Graff, May 17, 2011

3. The Crew House

The Crew House and Lane image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Graff, May 17, 2011

4. The Crew House and Lane

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2014, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 24, 2014, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.