Maymont
I went to Maymont in Richmond, VA this Saturday. I took tons of photos (281 to be exact...) I narrowed them down into categories so you can visit the park with me! Here is the first of 6 - 8 posts on Maymont.
Taken from the Maymont Style Guide:
"Maymont, the 100-acre Victorian country estate on the banks of the James River donated to the city of Richmond by Major & Mrs. James H. Dooley. Now maintained and operated by the private, nonprofit Maymont Foundation, it features the opulent Maymont Mansion and original Italian and Japanese gardens in addition to a Carriage Collection, Children’s Farm, Nature Center, Native Virginia Wildlife Exhibits, Aviary and extensive Arboretum."
The mansion was completed in 1893. Major Dooley, as he was know, earned his multi-million dollar fortune organizing the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad.
The Dooleys lived here until their death. Major Dooley passed away in 1922, and Sallie May in 1925.
Over the many years they lived here, they continuously added gardens.
The 100 acre grounds are open daily year-round. They host garden parties, teas, lectures, carriage rides, and other events throughout the year. If you're in Richmond during the Christmas season, you must tour the mansion decked out for the holiday.
Though completed in 1893, it was wired with electricity, an elevator, indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, central heat, and a fire suppression system. This was truly a modern home. The style is Queen Anne, know as the Gilded Age in the USA.
This is the Carriage entrance.
A few years ago, the basement was restored to its original state as the kitchen and maids quarters.
I'm sorry I don't have any photos of the interior, but they do not allow any photography indoors. I have a few connections, as Mrs. Dooley is a distant relative, so I might be able to get permission....if you follow this link you can find more information--they don't have interior photos on their own website. Go Figure! I highly recommend the tour if you're in the area! And please make the $5.00 per person suggested donation to keep everything up and running for years to come!
Check back later this week for photos of the gardens and other beautiful places on the property!
Maymont is located here:
Maymont’s Shields Lake Drive Entrance, Maymont’s main visitor entrance at 2201 Shields Lake Drive in
Byrd Park. Visitors are encouraged to begin their visit to Maymont here.
Maymont’s Hampton Street Entrance, Maymont’s entrance at 1700 Hampton Street. This is the easiest
access to Maymont Mansion and the Gardens and serves as Maymont’s mailing address (zip code 23220).
Maymont’s Spottswood Entrance, Maymont’s entrance closest to the Children’s Farm and Wildlife
Exhibits, located at Shirley Avenue and Spottswood Road near the Boulevard Bridge.
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
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