Maymont, The Gilded Age Mansion

When we moved to Richmond, we asked people what they considered to be the best attraction in their city.  Over and over again, people suggested we visit "Maymont".  Turns out that

Maymont is a 100 acre park on the James River.  The property was bought by the Thomas and Sally Dooley in the 1890's.  He was an early backer of railroads in the devastated South and made a boat load of money on them.  He was an Irish, Catholic Confederate vet, and she was a western Virginia upper middle class Episcopalian.  The families disowned both upon their marriage due to their different faiths, and never reconciled.   

The couple discovered this beautiful property while horseback riding. He bought the land and they built a small mansion which she surrounded with gardens of her own design.  This property is so special because it never changed hands. The Dooley's never had children, and upon Mrs. Dooley's death in 1925 (her husband died in 1920), the property was deeded to the City of Richmond along with all the furnishings.  Maymont is an unparalleled example of a Gilded Age mansion with all the fixins'  It's never been lived in by anyone besides the original owners.  It's never been remodeled.  The original furniture is still intact.  AND, the Foundation that maintains the property is experimenting with allowing visitors to take non-flash photography of not only the outside but also the interior of the mansion! 

Richmondtonians?  Richmondians?  Richmondtons?  (I don't know what these folks call themselves) are justifiably proud of this property.  You will see what I mean when you catch the pix.  Oh, and I'm always talking about how beautiful it is here in town - well, this property kind of shows you what I mean.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/115478608971584948192/albums/5932578246093881425?rlz=1C1SFXN_enUS500US500&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&authkey=CObbtJyJ8c2ZHQ