The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-23
HISTORIC HOUSE
HAS CENTENARY
HOME OF VALENTINE MUSEUM ~
SCENE OF SERIES OF rUNc-
TIONs IN IT'S HONOR.
HOLDING RECEPTIONS
FASHIONABLE THRONG GATHERS
AND RENEW ACQUAINTANCE
WITH MANY INTEREST,"
ING WORK OF ART.

With potted plants palms and
throughout the historical mansion.
fountain splashing and shrubbery In
the zenith OF springtime green, the
famous Valentine Museum was the
center OF fashionable throng last even
ing at a reception given to COM
memorate the century anniversary of
The erection Of the interesting build
ing, the original home Of the Hon.
John Wickham known to every school
boy and girl as the defender OF Aaron
Burr.
Receptions under the auspices OF
the board of trustees OF the museum
that Mann S. Valentine bequeathed
to the city are to be given on three
days. those OF yesterday being the
first.
Those on the reception committee
included Mr.. and Mrs. f. V. Valentine.
Mr.. and Mrs. W. r. Gray, Mr.. and
Mrs. g. G. Valentine. Mr.. and Mrs.
NJ s. Valentine. Mr.. and Mrs. b. E.
Valentine, Mr.. and Mrs. r. L. Nalen-
tine. MIR. and Mrs. F. $, Valentine.
DIR. j. c. Metcalf NJ. F. Robinson.
Mrs. EaIlie Nelson Robins. Mrs. E.
r. Valentine, Miss L. r. G. Jones,
Mrs. Parker Dashieil, Miss Nora
Houston, Miss Ruth Anderson. Miss
f. b. Martin. ]. Fl. Chamberlain. Miss
A.. T.. Daniel, Mrs. f. G.. Minor. Miss
Minor. Miss Adele Clark. Miss Leahy.
Miss z. r. Seiden. Miss Ruth Sublett,
Mrs +. T. Harrison. Miss NJ. $. Dew.
Miss Anne Gray. Mrs. Stewart Hume,
Mrs. J. c. Robertson. Miss II. l.. Scott,
DIR. II. K. McIlwaine. Miss Kate Mead,
Ire TfSAA Vtob Tn NJ oil NJ n
son. Mr.. and Mrs. w. Gray Watson.
Two Receptions.
There were two receptions yesteT-
day. one from until s in the after
noon. and the other from 5 to 10 in
the evening. They will be held at
the same hours today and tomorrow.
The building was erected in 1912
at Clay and Eleventh streets.
In the yard is magnolia tree more
than one hundred years of age. hav-
ing been planted in 1907.
The building Ia vertiable treasure
palace of historical relics. paintings,
works of art In mahogany. brass.
bronze. gold and silver. In one room
tor with glass cases containing bones
OF humans. Paintings. etchings and
statuary may be seen from every
hand. The doors are of massive ma
hogany and the floors Of heart pine.
Silver plated hinges and heavy hand
carved knobs are in tho doors. The
most delicate and artistic in wood
carving may be seen.
or Historical Interest.
More than eighty years ago this
property was purchased by John P.
Ballard who sold it to James d.
Brooks. Forty years ago it became
the property OF Mann S. Valentine ii.
Mr.. Valentine transposed the interior
into the treasure place 1t In today.
Works OF art relics of history and
beautiful decorative pieces were
gathered from across the seas and
brought here.
During the war the house was the
residence Of Hon. c. G. Memminger.
secretary of the treasury. Confeder-
ate States OF America.
Among the contributors to the fur
nishings were Edward V. Valentine.
the sculptor. and William Winston
Valentine. the artist
When Mann s. Valentine II died,
there was codicil to his will. be-
queathing the property as museum
to Richmond with the furniture.
books, manuscripts. autographs. pic
lures, curios. 1ewelry ard china His
brother, Edward v. Valentine, and his
sons. Granville c.. Benjamin g., and
Edward p. Valentine we're made trus-
tees. He died in 1892. and an act of
the Legislature of 1891 incorporated
the Valentine Museum.
The museum Is located In part
OF Richmond that was in the early
days the heart of the aristocracy OF
the city where men who became ia
nous in history lived and died.
The library contains almost price
a