The rich heritage of Virginia horse racing traces its roots back to the colonial days of the late seventeenth century. Horse racing began as single-day events held at county fairs, family farms, and hunt meets, taking a long and meandering path to become the sport we know and love today. "Colonial Downs and More" examines the important changes that occurred in Virginia's horse racing industry during the last half century, with a particular focus on the debates over pari-mutuel wagering. The legalization of pari-mutuel wagering became a hot-button legislative issue in the 1980s, sparked by...

The rich heritage of Virginia horse racing traces its roots back to the colonial days of the late seventeenth century. Horse racing began as single-day events held at county fairs, family farms, and hunt meets, taking a long and meandering path to become the sport we know and love today. "Colonial Downs and More" examines the important changes that occurred in Virginia's horse racing industry during the last half century, with a particular focus on the debates over pari-mutuel wagering. The legalization of pari-mutuel wagering became a hot-button legislative issue in the 1980s, sparked by...

In the early nineteenth century, gorgeous mansions constructed of brick and stone were built in the well-to-do Court End neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia.

During the Civil War, several prominent Confederate politicians lived in Court End. In fact, it's where the White House of the Confederacy was located. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, resided in the grand home until the end of the war. Almost demolished in 1890, it's now part of the American Civil War Museum.

But many historic buildings and the surrounding land have not been protected...