Wickham-Valentine House, 1015 East Clay St Richmond, Independent City, VA
The Wicham-Valentine House is one of the finest domestic expressions of early Neo-classical architecture in America. The design of the mansion, which was built in 1812 for John Wickham, was executed by Alexander Parris, a New England architect who also planned the nearby Virginia Governor`s Mansion. Among the house`s most notable features are the sophisticated plan and the elegant curved staircase with its delicate dogwood leaf and swag ornamentation. In 1854 the house was sold by the Wickhams, and subsequent owners completely redecorated the interior. In 1882, Mann S. Valentine purchased the house, and in 1892 left it, along with his collection of historical artifacts and an endowment, as the Valentine Museum. In the 1920`s adjacent buildings were purchased for the growing museum collection, and the mansion was restored and furnished as a house museum. The Valentine Museum is currently (1985) sponsoring an intensive research program and investigation of the house`s historic fabric to determine the nature of changes that have occurred to the building over its distinguished 173 year history.
Wickham-Valentine House, 1015 East Clay St Richmond, Independent City, VA
The Wicham-Valentine House is one of the finest domestic expressions of early Neo-classical architecture in America. The design of the mansion, which was built in 1812 for John Wickham, was executed by Alexander Parris, a New England architect who also planned the nearby Virginia Governor`s Mansion. Among the house`s most notable features are the sophisticated plan and the elegant curved staircase with its delicate dogwood leaf and swag ornamentation. In 1854 the house was sold by the Wickhams, and subsequent owners completely redecorated the interior. In 1882, Mann S. Valentine purchased the house, and in 1892 left it, along with his collection of historical artifacts and an endowment, as the Valentine Museum. In the 1920`s adjacent buildings were purchased for the growing museum collection, and the mansion was restored and furnished as a house museum. The Valentine Museum is currently (1985) sponsoring an intensive research program and investigation of the house`s historic fabric to determine the nature of changes that have occurred to the building over its distinguished 173 year history.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
