Executive Mansion
Wickham House Tour
Behind the Scenes - Executive Mansion
A few blocks down from the Executive Mansion is the Federalist-style Wickham House built in 1812, where Jennifer Ley, Director of Public Programs, shows Bob some treasures of days gone by. But first a little history...
The Wickham House, part of the Valentine Museum complex was designed by New England architect Alexander Parris (who also designed the Executive Mansion) for the respected Richmond attorney and banker John Wickham. Married to the mayor's daughter, Wickham was one of Richmond's wealthiest citizens. The stately 1812 Wickham House, a National Historic Landmark, stands out as a showplace of neoclassical architecture and decorative design.
The tour starts at the magnificent elliptical staircase that showcases the work of Richmond's best artisans of the period. The carving in the staircase features designs unique to Virginia with dogwood flowers and magnolia buds gracing the steps.
In keeping with the neoclassical theme, wall paintings in the public rooms borrow from ancient Greece and Rome and reflect the purpose of the space. One of the most striking elements of Wickham's house is the exuberantly painted Pompeian-style wall treatment discovered under eleven layers of paint in the parlor. Now recreated to its original splendor, the multi-hued frame inside a frame motif creates a paneled effect.
On one wall, conservationists left one corner of the original 1812 treatment exposed. Juxtaposed it against this are vestiges of a more Victorian interpretation of the wall treatment from about 1850 which utilized less vibrant colors while adding a three dimensional look to the frame motif. Elaborate neoclassical overdoor paintings, actually drawings of Homer's The Illiad uncovered in 1988, grace the parlor as well.
Each major public room features recreated mantels of carved Italian marble and elaborate window treatments based on period illustrations and drapery books. Furnishings and upholstery were chosen to complement the imagery and palette of each room in the style of the early 19th century.
John Wickham situated his home on the highest part of his land on the highest hill in the city. This placement along with the opulent interior appointments of his home was intended to show off the lofty social standing of the Wickham family in Richmond and was a sign of Wickham's ability to make his world reflect his ideas.
While the first floor reflected Wickham's public glory, the second-floor rooms were private and work spaces, not to be visited by guests to the house. In these rooms Mrs. Wickham gave birth to many of her 17 children.
Copyright BobVila.com © 2001
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