State Historical Highway Markers Commemorating Valentine Museum and Wickham-Valentine House To Be Dedicated In Richmond
A bequest by Mann S. Valentine II established one of Richmond’s first museums in the Wickham-Valentine House in 1892; the neoclassical house was built for attorney John Wickham in 1812.
The markers’ text is reproduced below
RICHMOND – Two state historical markers issued by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to commemorate the Valentine Museum and the house where the museum was established in 1892 will be dedicated September 23 in Richmond.
The public ceremony to unveil the markers begins at 2:30 p.m., at the Valentine Richmond History Center, 1015 East Clay Street, where the markers are located. Remarks during the ceremony will be provided by William J. Martin, director of the History Center, and Dr. Pamela Royal, chairman of the History Center Board of Trustees, and a representative of the Department of Historic Resources. Members of the Valentine and Wickham families will also participate in the ceremony.
The dedication ceremony celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Wickham-Valentine House, a neoclassical-style residence built in 1812 and designed by Alexander Parris for prominent Richmond attorney John Wickham, who had assisted in defending Aaron Burr against charges of treason. “Wickham’s family, including second wife Elizabeth and nineteen children, lived [at the house] until 1853,” according to the “Wickham-Valentine House” marker. In 1882, Mann S. Valentine II, creator of Valentine’s Meat Juice health tonic, purchased the Wickham House “and displayed his archaeological and ethnographic collections,” in the marker’s words.
An 1892 bequest of Valentine “established the Valentine Museum as one of Richmond’s first museums,” the “Valentine Museum” marker states. The museum soon expanded “to include the Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio, the house, and its garden,” according to the marker.
Now known as the Valentine Richmond History Center, the museum’s mission is “to engage, educate, and challenge a diverse audience by collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond’s history,” according to its website.
Both the “Wickham-Valentine House” and “Valentine Museum” markers were approved by the Department of Historic Resources earlier this year. The costs of manufacturing the markers were covered through a gift from the Klaus Family to the History Center.
The Wickham-Valentine House is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
Virginia’s historical marker program, which began in 1927 with the installation of the first historical markers along U.S. Route 1, is considered the oldest such program in the nation. Currently there are more than 2,200 official state markers, most maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation as well as by local partners in jurisdictions such as the City of Richmond outside of VDOT’s authority.
Text of the markers:
Valentine Museum
The 1892 bequest of Mann S. Valentine II, creator of Valentine’s Meat Juice health tonic, established the Valentine Museum as one of Richmond’s first museums. He sought to create a museum devoted to the art, history, and culture of the world. First headquartered in the Wickham-Valentine House, the museum expanded to include the Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio, the house, and its garden. The museum’s collection of Richmond history includes photographs, rare books, fine art, costumes, objects, and textiles. This extensive collection serves as a resource for exhibitions, research, education programs, tours, and publications.
Wickham-Valentine House
Attorney John Wickham (1763-1839) lived at this location beginning in 1790. A prominent lawyer, he helped defend Aaron Burr against treason charges in 1807. Alexander Parris designed this neoclassical house built here for Wickham in 1812. Wickham’s family, including second wife Elizabeth and nineteen children, lived here until 1853. More than fifteen enslaved African Americans worked in the house. Entrepreneur Mann S. Valentine II (1824-1892) purchased the property in 1882 and displayed his archaeological and ethnographic collections here. In 1898, the house was opened as the Valentine Museum.
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The Valentine Richmond History Center collects, preserves and interprets Richmond’s 400-year history. Located in the heart of historic downtown Richmond, the History Center provides a lively, compelling venue for Richmond residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that come together to tell the intriguing history of Richmond.
For more information, contact:
Randy Jones
Department of Historic Resources
540.578-3031 (cell)
randy.jones@dhr.virginia.gov
Domenick Casuccio
Valentine Richmond History Center
804.467.2431 (cell)
PR@richmondhistorycenter.com
