Shockoe Slip in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Old State Capitol
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 26, 2015
1. The Old State Capitol Marker
Inscription.
The Old State Capitol. . In 1780, Virginia’s capital was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond to increase its accessibility and avert British attack by sea. On this corner, in commercial buildings confiscated from Loyalists, the General Assembly met until 1788. Here Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom, which decoupled religion and government, was adopted through the extraordinary efforts of Del. James Madison. This law, the model for many other states, laid the foundation for the religion clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Here, too, Virginia relinquished its claim to the Northwest Territory and began its contentious debate over ratification of the federal Constitution.
In 1780, Virginia’s capital was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond to increase its accessibility and avert British attack by sea. On this corner, in commercial buildings confiscated from Loyalists, the General Assembly met until 1788. Here Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom, which decoupled religion and government, was adopted through the extraordinary efforts of Del. James Madison. This law, the model for many other states, laid the foundation for the religion clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Here, too, Virginia relinquished its claim to the Northwest Territory and began its contentious debate over ratification of the federal Constitution.
Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-109.)
Location. 37° 32.086′ N, 77° 25.946′ W. Marker is in Richmond
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, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Slip. Marker is at the intersection of South 14th Street (U.S. 60/360) and East Cary Street (Virginia Route 147), on the right when traveling south on South 14th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 South 14th Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
