The Virginia War Memorial Green Space Project

The Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton will use the Founder’s Fund grant to help fund the Public Green Space project at the Virginia War Memorial.   Located on five rolling acres on the edge of downtown Richmond, the Memorial welcomes 100,000 visitors annually to pay tribute to 12,000 Virginia veterans who gave their lives for our freedom.

During a 2021 visit to the Memorial, a Tuckahoe Garden Club member noticed a significant need for an improved landscape. The grounds were barren with almost no shrubs or trees to provide shade for the many outdoor commemorative events.  No consideration was given to native plantings to evoke the diversity of Virginia's landscape and what did exist was in poor condition and not well maintained.  Recognizing this great need, the Public Green Space Project was born.

The project planning began in 2021 with a team including the Virginia War Memorial Foundation president, public garden and landscape design professionals, a local nursery, and garden club members.  With a $500,000 budget for plants and installation, the project and fund raising are ongoing until all financial goals are met, which is anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026.

The Public Green Space project will make a difference to all visitors, especially veterans and their families, active service members, and residents of neighborhoods adjacent to the property. As they stroll through the outdoor memorials, visitors will be able to seek respite in the shade during Virginia's hot and humid summers.

The Virginia War Memorial landscape will be maintained by the Department of General Services staff of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a public/private partnership with the Foundation.  There will also  be volunteer opportunities for Garden Clubs and Scout troops to weed, deadhead and plant annuals. This project will enhance the visitor experience, bringing them closer to nature and offering them a sense of peace and serenity. Virginia’s veterans and their families deserve nothing less.