The Valentine, Richmond

While many museums and attractions in the city focus on particular time periods, The Valentine is an attraction dedicated to preserving all of Richmond's history. It was the first private museum in town, established in 1898, and it includes the Wickham House. The museum was founded by Mann S. Valentine II, a wealthy entrepreneur who made his money selling a health tonic called Valentine's Meat Juice. Like many wealthy entrepreneurs of the Gilded Age, he became a collector. His interests spanned anthropology, archaeology, and the arts. He began creating a museum one year before his death, but the museum was completed and opened in 1898 per his wishes. Mann's brother Edward served as the museum's first president.

The museum's primary exhibition explores Richmond's history through personal stories and unique artifacts from The Valentine's massive collection. The museum also offers rotating exhibits, so check their website for their current showings. Previous exhibits have focused on big themes like the Great Depression in Richmond or small details like the gowns worn at inaugural balls by Virginia's first ladies.

The Wickham House was built in 1812 and is restored to how it would have appeared in the Antebellum period. Through a dialogue-based guided tour, you will learn the stories of the Wickham family and the home's enslaved occupants. The museum and the house are on the National Register of Historic Places.