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In Gear: Richmond Cycles

While millions of TV viewers watch and thousands converge on the capital city of Richmond for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, right in the heart of the area is a museum that could blunt some of the negative publicity the city received over its Confederate monuments.

The building is tucked away near Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital and features the Valentine First Freedom Center, along with several ever-changing exhibits. They include "Classical Allure,”—a collection of textiles and costumes that personify the four Roman goddesses on the Virginia seal. Behind these exhibits are curators David Voelkel, Kristin Stewart, and Meg Hughes. They say that while many may come to Richmond looking for a Civil War focus, this one is not—because the capital city’s history is far more diverse than that.

Timed with the international bike race is the exhibit "In Gear: Richmond Cycles," which showcases how cycling became a part of the capital city’s culture and evolved—starting with the 1800s. The museum also has extended hours because of the race.

For visitors who wish to come at a later date, several of the temporary exhibits are there until the beginning of next year while some, including "Beard Wars," wrap up in November.

Tommie McNeil is a State Capitol reporter who has been covering Virginia and Virginia politics for more than a decade. He originally hails from Maryland, and also doubles as the evening anchor for 1140 WRVA in Richmond.
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