100-Year Anniversary of the Church Hill Tunnel Collapse

On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, we will gather to mark the 100th anniversary of the Church Hill Train Tunnel collapse — a tragic event in Richmond’s past. The tunnel, with a train and the remains of at least two workers still buried beneath us, endures as a powerful reminder of lives and history sealed underground.

5:30 PM | Libby Hill Park (where the monument used to be, off of Libby Terrace)

Join a guided tour by Rachel Pater of @richmondstoryhouse. She will share the story of the tunnel before, during, and after the collapse while following the tunnel’s actual path through Church Hill, ending at Jefferson Park.

6:15 PM | Jefferson Park (near the fountain)

Following the walk is a commemorative ceremony at Jefferson Park. Those who do not join the tour may proceed directly to the park. The program will feature remarks by elected officials, community leaders, local historians, and a harp performance by @elizabethowensmusic.

This evening of remembrance will honor the lives lost and invite the community to reflect on resilience, memory, and the passage of a century.