Meg Hughes

The Valentine

The Valentine Museum The 1892 bequest of Mann S. Valentine II, creator of Valentine's Meat Juice health tonic, established the Valentine Museum as Richmond's first museum. He sought to create a museum devoted to art, history, and culture of the world. First headquartered in the Wickham-Valentine House, the museum now covers the entire northern half of the block and includes 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. 1812 John Wickham House Built for attorney John Wickham in 1812, this neoclassical masterpiece of the Federal period is a National Historic Landmark. Alexander Parris designed the house, which features unique wall paintings based on European design sources, and a cantilevered staircase. The home represents the new wealth that developed in Richmond as the state capital after 1780. The Wickham family, including John's second wife Elizabeth and nineteen children, lived here until 1853. More than fifteen slaves worked in the home. In 1882, Mann S. Valentine II purchased the property to exhibit his personal collection. In 1898, the home opened as the Valentine Museum.