Locals and visitors alike realize that Richmond is often a popular destination for American history enthusiasts. Racing fans flock for the area every six months to take in big events with the Richmond International Speedway, as well as other summer concerts and festivals keep everybody entertained. For hobbyists considering letterboxing, Richmond is rich with several opportunities to add timeless souvenirs in your collection, and memories to treasure.

A Brief Letterboxing Primer

For the advantages of readers a new comer to this centuries-old practice of “treasure hunting,” letterboxing is comparable to the “geocaching” trend gathering popularity among GPS users. Letterboxing have their own origins inside mid 19th century in England, where secret boxes storing letters along with other communications were happened upon or hunted. Visitors would depart something in return. In recent years, enthusiasts will hide letterboxes (normally a plastic, sealed container) containing plastic stamps and a guestbook in several places outdoors, and hunters uses the stamp for his or her own notebooks, while stamping the letterbox book permit the dog owner know it has been seen as. An Internet hunt for popular letterbox sites Letterboxing and Atlasquest will yield countless such boxes hidden worldwide.

Letterboxing in Richmond

One will get several letterboxes in the metropolitan Richmond area, in urban and rural locales. Traditionally, letter boxes for sale will check Internet sites for clues on where to locate the boxes – some may give precise directions, although some may present a puzzle to decode to be able reach the goal. For an concept of what to expect in Richmond letterboxes, below are a few select ones intended for search:

An Irish Lass in Hollywood – hidden in the Hollywood Cemetery

The Siren’s Song – hidden around the campus from the University of Richmond

Deep Run School – hidden near Short Pump Park

The Carillon – hidden near a war monument

Slippery Rock – hidden in Deep Run Park

Rules of Letterboxing

Some things to remember when going on a letterboxing expedition:

Make sure you’ve directions in hand. You won’t need a compass unless looking for a challenging box, yet it’s good to print the directions through the letterboxing websites so you don’t get lost.

Be discreet whenever you discover a letterbox. Some letterboxes hidden in parks and landmarks could be removed by staff or stolen, so if you look for a box be mindful from it and make sure it’s hidden that you thought it was, so others can find it later.

Plan your route. There could possibly be several different letterboxes hidden in just a few miles of each other. Do your research and you can create a whole day with the search.

Have fun! Letterboxing with your kids is a great way to encourage their orienteering skills.