Tree Hill (Richmond, Virginia) facts for kids
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Tree Hill
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 5, near Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | 531 acres (215 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002127 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 17, 1974 |
Tree Hill is a historic place near Richmond, Virginia. It is in Henrico County, Virginia. This old house is built in the Greek Revival style. It sits on a hill overlooking the James River. Tree Hill is about two miles east of downtown Richmond.
Long ago, this area was a camp for Native Americans. It was even the birthplace of Powhatan, a powerful chief. Later, Tree Hill became a large farm. During the American Civil War, it was owned by Franklin Stearns. He was a Unionist, meaning he supported the Union.
On the night of April 3, 1865, Richmond was burning. The Confederate forces were leaving the city. The mayor of Richmond, Joseph C. Mayo, went to Tree Hill. Union soldiers were camped there. The mayor gave them a note. This note officially surrendered the city of Richmond. He asked the Union soldiers to help keep order and protect people.
The History of Tree Hill Farm
Tree Hill Farm has been used for hundreds of years. In the colonial era, the Chickahominy people lived here. They were a Native American tribe.
In 1778, Miles Selden bought the land. He was a clerk for Henrico County. By 1785, he built a horse racing track there. It was one of the first in America. In 1824, a famous French general visited the racecourse. This was the Marquis de Lafayette. He was on a farewell tour of the former colonies. His daughter, Patsy, and her husband, William Roane, inherited Tree Hill in 1837.
Tree Hill During the Civil War
In 1855, Franklin Stearns bought the farm. He supported the Union during the Civil War. He was even put in prison sometimes. But Stearns still let Confederate cattle graze on his land. These cattle belonged to the Chimborazo Hospital. The Confederate government paid him for this. Union troops took over the house in April 1865.
There was a very large oak tree on the east side of the property. People called it the Surrender Tree. It was said to be the spot where Mayor Joseph C. Mayo surrendered Richmond. This happened on the night of April 2–3, 1865. He gave Union officers a note. It said the Confederates had left the city. He asked them to keep order and protect people. The officers took the note to General Godfrey Weitzel. The general ordered his troops to put out the fires. He then went to city hall to accept the official surrender.
The Burlee family bought the farm in 1910. They kept it as a farm for many years. Tree Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it is a special historical site.
Tree Hill Today
A historical marker was placed at Tree Hill in 2002. It tells visitors about the site's history. In 2015, people held an event there. They marked 150 years since Richmond's surrender.
In 2014, a movie called "Ithaca" was filmed at Tree Hill. Famous actors like Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were in it. The old Surrender Tree fell during a big storm in 2012.
Today, the Gray Land and Development Company owns Tree Hill. They plan to build many homes and offices there. But they have agreed to restore the old manor house and barn. They will also set aside land for a school and a library. There will also be a place to honor the area's Native American history.
