Petersburg

The history of Petersburg spans not just to the Civil War, but also has a rich african american history. The city had one of the highest populations of freed african americans before the war. One of the first presidents of Liberia lived in the city. I think they are still studying the history of Pocahontas Island, a small black settlement on the northside of the city. Also the city also has a lot of roots in the Revolutionary War.
The city itself is suffering from economic hardships. I wish there was a better historic society that would really archive the history and better advertise the city.

Plenty to do for the Civil War buff or even Revolutionary War buff; however, Petersburg suffers from urban blight and crime, especially cocaine trafficking (it is about halfway between Florida and New York).
However, the old towne area is pretty nice. Fort Lee borders the city, and the Quartermaster Museum is worth visiting, too.

http://www.petersburg-va.org/

Full of Civil War history and then some.