On this Episode David Voelkel talks about the 1812 John Wickham House, who its occupants were, about 19th century living in general, and his approach to history in general. David Voelkel is the Director of Collections and the Elise H. Wright Curator of General Collections at The Valentine. To hear more about The Valentine listen to episode featuring the museum’s director Bill Martin.
The Wickham House where The Valentine opened, seen after 1933. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
On this episode, Bill Martin, The Director of The Valentine Richmond History Center discusses the history of The Valentine, which is the oldest museum in Richmond. The museum opened its doors in 1898 in the Wickham House on the corner of Clay and 11th St. Over the years the museum has gone through many changes as RVA and its needs for a museum have changed, including expansion. The museum now takes up the entire block of East Grace St between 10th & 11th Streets. Martin also tells History Replays Today about the current renovations of the museums main galleries. The renovation is allowing Martin and The Valentine to reexamine what its means to live in a city like Richmond, that is layered with history and how that history should be taught and related to.
The Valentine Richmond History Center is a must visit for any one that wants to know anything about Richmond. The museum (like this podcast) focuses on ALL of Richmond’s history not just the Civil War. In fact Martin lays out why the Civil War may not even be the most important time in RVA’s history.
The Wickham House and Edward Valentine’s Studio remain open through out the renovation. The renovations progress can be monitored every Wednesday at the “Hard Hat Happy Hour”. The Valentine’s Community Discussions will also continue. Find out more information on the Valentine’s calendar of events.
Mark Greenough, Tour Supervisor and Historian at the Virginia State Capitol talks about the early days of the building. Many folks know that Thomas Jefferson designed the Virginia State Capitol, but the story is far more complicated and dramatic then a founding father dabbling in architecture.
The conversation addresses why the capital of Virginia was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond, why Thomas Jefferson designed the building, why it is where it is, what RVA was like as a young capital and much more.
In this episode, Jeff Majer sits down with the first Governor of Virginia, lawyer and Founding Father Patrick Henry at St John’s Church in Richmond, Va, the site of Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech. Patrick Henry is portrayed by Kevin Grantz, a re enactor from St John’s Church.
For more information about History Replays Today, The Richmond History Podcast follow History Replays Today on Facebook and Twitter @historyreplays
The Farm Table
