Those items were dismantled and removed from Greensville Correctional Center to the museum earlier this week.Īlso, this week, in confirmation of the change in law, Governor Northam commuted to life in prison the death sentences of Thomas Porter and Anthony Juniper, the two persons on death row when capital punishment was abolished. When Virginia moved to executions by lethal injection, the chair remained in place.Īlso donated to the museum is the medical gurney used for executing people by lethal injection, along with other implements used to carry out executions, including leather straps. It was installed at the Virginia State Penitentiary on Spring Street near downtown Richmond in 1908 and later was moved to Greensville Correctional Center. The chair was used to execute 267 people. Virginia has executed more than 1,300 people in its history, more than any other state. In March 2021 Governor Northam signed legislation to end the use of the death penalty, making Virginia the first southern state to do so.
The Commonwealth’s history of using capital punishment is an important part of history, and the Museum is focused on telling Virginia’s full and true story for future generations.” “The Commonwealth asked the Museum to accept these items, as they have the curatorial expertise to appropriately manage and interpret such materials. “This action closes the era of state-sponsored execution in Virginia,” said Governor Northam. RICHMOND –On January 14, 2022, Governor Ralph Northam announced that 114 years after acquiring an oak electric chair to execute people sentenced to death, the Commonwealth asked the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond to accept the chair and other implements of execution. Records from the Library of Virginia suggest that 37 Richmond residents, organizations, and businesses contributed about 60 objects to the capsule, many of which are believed to be related to the Confederacy. Historians believe a time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the Lee pedestal on October 27, 1887. That is expected to take much of today or longer. The stone must be removed and lowered to the ground before historic preservation teams are able to confirm whether this is, in fact, the actual time capsule. It was located approximately 8 feet from the outside of the granite and about one foot from the edge of the core. It was located approximately 20 feet in the air, in the tower, not in the pedestal’s base. Workers noticed something that looked “different” this morning, so they chiseled down with a hammer and found the top of what appears to be the time capsule–located inside a large block, under one inch of cement. It was discovered by crew members disassembling the pedestal that formerly held the Robert E.
The DMV in Malvern definitely made the experience more pleasant.On December 17, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced that crews may have located the 1887 time capsule of Confederate artifacts on Monument Avenue in Richmond at 7:11 AM today. It had been 12 years since I passed my road test in Europe, and even though I feel confident driving, having to take another road test is a nightmare. The horror! For me, it took away some of the pressure. In Norristown, everyone in line can just stare at how you are doing. The parking ground is good for those who are nervous about parking, as other cars waiting in line won’t be able to see you.
The whole process took about 45 minutes (probably not even that) - that is including parking, road test and waiting for my license to be printed. The Malvern location is so much more spacious and the person at the counter was very friendly as well. The facility inside surprised me, since I had only been to the Norristown location up until today. Throughout the test I was given clear instructions. After parallel parking, I drove around the shopping center and I was done in a few minutes. He introduced himself as Robin, was very polite, friendly and explained things very well (unlike the instructor I had in Norristown). There was no line of cars, and even though I was too early, the instructor came up to my car shortly after I parked it. This was the 2 nd time for me, as I failed my 1 st test in Norristown (I messed up parallel parking - oops). I came to the Malvern location this morning for my road test. OMG, my experience here was so much better than at the DMV in Norristown.