The Valentine

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Valentine, Richmond’s oldest private museum, was created in 1898 with funding, art, and artifacts donated by Mann Valentine II after his death in 1892. In addition to exhibition spaces, a Federal period mansion known as the Wickham House can be found at the museum. This house gives a glimpse into what life was like for a wealthy 19th century Richmond family. The Valentine also manages the First Freedom Center at the corner of S 14th Street and E Cary Street, the same location where Virginia's General Assembly met in the American Revolution. The First Freedom Center includes a monument and exhibits dedicated to the history of religious freedom.

Images

The Wickham House.

The Valentine, Wickham House and gardens.

Inside the First Freedom Center.

Interior of the Valentine, part of the "This is Richmond" exhibit

Another section of the "This is Richmond" exhibit

Part of an advertisement for Valentine's health tonic, "Meat Juice," which he amassed the wealth needed to allow for the creation of this museum.

1910 postcard of the Valentine's grand staircase. Courtesy of Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) Digital Library.

An image from The Valentine's website of some of clothing on display in an exhibition

The Valentine's Clay Street Entrance

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Mann Valentine acquired his wealth from the production and sale of something called “meat juice” that was used as a health tonic in the 19th century. He used his acquired wealth to collect numerous historical artifacts and works of art, which he would later donate for the use of public education. The Valentine’s original home was the Wickham House and it has since moved and undergone numerous expansions and renovations throughout the years. Mann’s brother, Edward, served as the museum’s first president until his death in 1930. After Edward's death his collection of numerous sculptures, works of art and historical holdings was donated to the Valentine.

The museum has both permanent and rotating exhibits. Its permanent exhibition is called “This is Richmond, Virginia,” and it explores the city’s history, culture and government.

The Valentine also has a large collection of textiles and clothing. The museum owns over 30,000 textiles and garments. All of the items in the collection were either manufactured, purchased or used in the state of Virginia. The pieces in the collection range from haute couture items worn by notable Virginians to quilts and samplers made in Virginia during the 19th century. There are also contemporary textile and clothing pieces that have been made by local artist and designers.

The museum is also home to the Valentine Store, a gift shop that focuses on selling locally made items. Two popular recurring events sponsored by the Valentine are its walking tour of Hollywood Cemetery and its Along the James Bike Tour. The museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and the Wickham House is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Sources

Costume & Textiles Collection. The Valentine. https://thevalentine.org/collections/costume-textiles/.