I work downtown and enjoy getting out of the office now and then for a walk around the city. Brown’s Island has always been a quick and fun destination. Most days there will be some activity, whether it is construction at the Federal Reserve building, trains heading across the trestle on the island, people walking around Canal Walk and the island’s pathways or just looking at the James River itself.

The ‘Headman’ statue on Brown’s Island sees all of that activity on a daily basis year-round. All the summer festivals, adventure games, big storms, all of it. Since the first time I noticed the boatman, I always take a second to see how he’s doing.

When I was doing the research for the “What’s This?“ feature I do for DiscoverRichmond.com, I found out that the original fiberglass version of ‘Headman’ was stolen and vandalized. I was new to Richmond when this happened back in 1989, and missed this shameful news. The current bronze statue was dedicated in 1993 and has patrolled Brown’s Island since. I think Richmond does a great job of making wonderful little places like this for people to see the diverse history of this old town. It’s one of the things that makes me proud to live and work here.

Phil Riggan
DiscoverRichmond.com

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