The Old Dominion Capital is Richmond, an 8-letter word. Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, commonly known as the Old Dominion. It is located in the east-central part of the state and is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area. Richmond has a long history, having been founded in 1737. It was the site of several key events during the American Civil War, including the evacuation of Confederate forces in 1865. Today, Richmond is a major cultural and economic hub in the region.