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.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Richmond. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: The Valentine
Sight Location: Richmond, USA (See walking tours in Richmond)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Richmond Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Richmond, Virginia

Create Your Own Walk in Richmond

Creating your own self-guided walk in Richmond is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Maymont and Carytown Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Richmond Introduction Walking Tour

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He named the town 鈥淩ichmond鈥� after an English town. He felt the view of the James River was similar... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Historical Homes Walking Tour

Being one of America鈥檚 oldest major cities, the capital of Virginia, Richmond, is rich with historic homes, dating back well into the 1800s and beyond. Those passionate about storied buildings will surely find plenty to their taste here.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

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