Richmond's Historic Court End and Virginia's Capitol

Historic Court End and Virginia's Capitol, taken from the Valentine Richmond History Center's "A Guide to Historic Court End and Virginia's Capitol." Click on the map to see it a little bit larger. The red arrow marks the direction to the Linden Row Inn, which is five short blocks off the left of the map.

Here goes post number two on things to do in the Richmond area while you're here for the weekend (post one is here). Since the Valentine Richmond History Center has already done a great job putting together a brochure to guide visitors through the historic Court End and Virginia's Capitol, I'm just going to write here what they've written in their brochure.

Valentine Richmond History Center
For more than 100 years, the Valentine Richmond History Center has told the story of Richmond through exhibitions, city tours, research opportunities, special events, school programs and guided tours of Wickham House (1812).

With thousands of objects, costumes, historical documents, textiles and photographs, the History Center is committed to the preservation of Richmond's unique history and serving as a resource for visitors and residents.

Visitors may peruse the history galleries, Wickham House and sculpture studio or take a guided walking or bus tour.

Wickham House
A neoclassical masterpiece of the Federal period, the Wickham House is a National Historic Landmark that has been restored to appear as it did when prominent 19th century attorney John Wickham, his large family and slaves called it home. The house, designed by Alexander Parris, is known for its plaster ceiling decorations, unique wall paintings and dramatic cantilevered spiral staircase. Carpets and window treatments based on designs of the time and furnishings original to the house, as well as other find furniture of the period, are found in the formal rooms. The Wickham House is operated by the Valentine Richmond History Center, which offers guided tours of the first and second floors. Tours of the basement, which contains original slave work areas and warming kitchen, are self-guided.

The Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio
One of the only four surviving 19th century sculpture studios in the U.S. that is open to the public, the Edward V. Valentine scultpure studio is located at the Valentine Richmond History Center and contains a collection of Valentine's original work and tools. Valentine is perhaps best known for the Recumbent Lee memorial at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and the Thomas Jefferson statue in Richmond's historic Jefferson Hotel.

Historic Richmond Tours, a service of the Valentine Richmond History Center, offers a wide variety of fascinating guided tours that explore the rich and diverse history of the city. Master guides, trained by the recognized authority of Richmond hisotry, lead all tour programs.

The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson, was the first public building in the New World to resemble a Roman Classical temple. Home to America's oldest legislative assembly, this historic landmark has witnessed events that have shaped Virginia and the nation since 1788. Renovation of the original Capitol and the addition of new wings for the Virginia House and Senate were completed in 1906. In May 2007, the Capitol re-opened after a major restoration and expansion project. Visitors will find historical statuary and paintings, rotating exhibitions, a gift shop and cafe, and newly restored legislative chambers.

John Marshall House
Home to the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal style brick house (1790) boasts a rich collection of family-owned furnishings, original features and the largest collection of Marshall family memorabilia in the country. Owned and operated by the APVA Preservation Virginia, the house is on the National Historic Register. The Cellar Gift Shop features items by local artists.

Monumental Church
Built as a monument to honor those lost in the tragic Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811, Monumental Chruch was designed by Robert Mills, America's first native-born professional architect. The church is owned and operated by Historic Richmond Foundation and is open to the public May through October.