This year we’re going to explore on September 11, Richmond IN, the largest city between Dayton and Indianapolis and the first stop over the state line if you are traveling on the Old National Road (now US40). I found the city to be an up-and-coming community, renewing their historical districts with shops and restaurants, and painting the town with beautiful murals.

We will begin our tour at the Welcome Center to get an overview of the area attractions. The friendly volunteers there have assembled a gift souvenir bag for each of us. Ladies, make sure you get a copy of the Chocolate Trail Passport; it gets you free chocolate samples at 16 stops in the county and a free T-shirt if you complete it. We won’t have time today, but you can save it for a return trip treat with friends. A cute gift shop there will be fun to visit.

As mentioned, the Mural Project the county has recently started has put Richmond on the map, artistically and historically; the Mural Trail brochure gives the location of over 100 murals scattered throughout the county. We won’t have time for them all but we will see about 20 of them from the comfort of our coach, while seeing some of Richmond’s iconic landmarks as well—such as the redbrick Depot used back in the heyday of rail transportation and the massive County Courthouse that dominates downtown. It’ll be a quick and easy tour of historic downtown Richmond.

As mentioned earlier, the Old National Road has always been Richmond’s Main Street and thousands of vehicles have passed through the city daily on their journeys east to west before Interstate 70 was put in. In the early days of pavement, Model Ts traveled this highway, and Richmond honors these vehicles with an extensive Model T Museum, spanning the entire production run of this Ford car from 1908 to 1927. It includes five immersive exhibits that recreate the early 1900s, including two replica Ford Agency Show Rooms, a Vintage Garage, a Machine Shop, and an Agriculture Room. There are hands-on opportunities to experience how the “T” handled itself. I found it captivating and nostalgic.

Did you know that Richmond was nicknamed “Rose City,” due to the cut flower industry started here by the Hill family at the turn of the century. On our way to lunch, we will make a brief stop at the Richmond Rose Garden that honors this heritage. Then in a large shelter in the park, Marilyn and Debbie will have a lovely picnic lunch for us, like last year’s spread. Wow!

After lunch, we continue our journey back in time at the Wayne County Historical Museum, which has been described as a “miniature Smithsonian, NY Metropolitan, and Williamsburg rolled into one” for its diverse and high-quality collection. There’s a 3000-year-old mummy, a wedding dress collection spanning 150 years, examples of Richmond’s industrial past, such as racing cars built in the city, and a recreated turn of the century Main Street Richmond in the basement.

Next, a short walk across the street brings us to the Reid Center, once a church but now a concert hall. We’ve come to see its interior designed exclusively by Tiffany, with vaulted ceiling, carved wooden trim, and of course, stunning stained-glass windows. I hope to hear their vintage organ played especially for us.

The city is also nicknamed “The Cradle of Recorded Jazz” because of the Starr Piano company, maker of fine pianos. In the 1920’s Starr expanded into record players, then realized they could corner the music market by making the records also. Thus, the Gennett Record Studio was born, where no style of music was refused if there was a market for it. Over the 30 years of production some of the greatest American artists recorded real American music, like jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, and big band. We will visit the original factory and stroll down the Gennett Walk of Fame that honors 30 of these music greats. Then on to tour the Gennett Mansion built by the owners of the studio and used today for receptions, tours, and community events.

Do you like honey? Let’s find out by sampling different honeys at the Four-Leaf Honey Farm. I really liked the honey spread, so easy to swipe on toast in the morning. This business not only markets honey but makes honey-producing supplies to sell around the world. They will demonstrate how bees make different flavors according to the location of the hive, and how honey is collected and processed. There will also be a soap-making demo you can watch and learn or make your own soap to take home. Be sure to visit their gift shop of great honey products.

Dinner is one of my favorites: unlimited soup and salad at Olive Garden. There are four flavors of soup to choose from, and you can try different flavors for seconds. I always ask for extra goodies to be included with my salad bowl. But save yourself! You can sample free fudge and chocolate before you buy it at the Uranus Chocolate Factory. Someone here has an 11-year-old boy sense of humor, but the novelties are fun anyway. And I dare you to walk through their spiraling vortex without holding the rails.

It’s going to be a great trip, I guarantee it! Don’t miss out. Cost of everything is $90 per person, which includes all entry fees and food. Make your reservation by calling Kathy Boyd at (937) 830-0648 or email to katboyd60@gmail.com. Deadline is Thursday, September 4.

See you there,

Dan Stevens
Tour Host