Maymont Park offers activities and events for Richmond families throughout Summer 2009

July 4, 12:24 AMRichmond Family Friendly Events ExaminerKerry Smith

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Maymont Foundation and Park:

Maymont Park is a 100-acre estate that was left to the people of Richmond upon the owners’ death in 1925. From 1925 to 1975, Maymont was owned and operated by the City of Richmond. In 1975, the Maymont Foundation assumed the role of manager, promoter and developer, while the City of Richmond maintained the role of property owner. Since 1975, the Foundation raised over $1 million in its first year, developed a long-term master plan, restored buildings and gardens with a very small staff, created the Children’s Farm and Nature Center, restored the Maymont Mansion and historic artifacts and maintained the Guilded Age estate standards as it may have looked when James and Sallie Dooley actually lived in the house between 1893 and 1925. Currently, the Maymont mansion, and all of its operations: gardens, farms, mansions, buildings, museums, grounds, trams, special events, summer camps, group tours, carriage tours and collections, artifacts, cafes, exhibits, natural wildlife, classes, tours, annual social events, weddings, children’s birthday parties, photography sessions, giving programs and volunteering opportunities---takes $3.6 million annually to keep going.

The Maymont Foundation relies on individual and corporate donors to keep the park in pristine condition for visitors and members. If you live in the Richmond area, consider being an annual member at just $60/year. This family membership guarantees tram rides, discounts on events, children’s programs, summer camps, and the gift shop.

The roots or foundation of the Maymont Foundation is to keep Maymont beautiful and accessible for every generation to come. The mission of the Maymont Foundation is to preserve and celebrate Maymont as a museum and park for the pleasure and education of everyone. Its vision is to be nationally recognized as a premier, admission-free destination that offers enriching and integrated experiences in history, habitats and horticulture.

For more information about the Maymont Foundation, please call 804-358-7166, ext. 310. Or e-mail info@maymont.org
 

Maymont Mansion: The Maymont Mansion the home of the Dooley’s before Maymont became a park open to the public, was a symbol of how the entrepreneurs and financiers of late 19th century took advantage of the economic climate of the times (often referred to as the Gilded Age). Mr. Dooley regularly contributed to expansion of railways, land development and other various business ventures. They involved themselves in various circles of local life: social, intellectual, economical, philanthropic, and societal. In the end, they donated their estate to the City of Richmond.

Original Maymont Owner, James Henry Dooley: Born in Richmond on January 17, 1841, James Henry Dooley was one of John and Sarah Dooley’s nine children, and came to America from Ireland. John Dooley, Sr., was a hat manufacturer and also a founder and commander of the Montgomery Guard, a volunteer militia group of Richmonders of Irish origin. The Dooley’s were prominent in the community, and members of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. Dooley attended Georgetown University in 1856 (then called Georgetown College), distinguishing himself as the first student to rank at the head of his class during his undergraduate years. He graduated in 1960. James and his brother, John then enlisted in the Confederate Army, joining their father’s unit, Company C of the First Virginia Infantry, also known as the Montgomery Guard. James was wounded in the Battle of Williamsburg and later was referred to as an honorific “Major.” He then completed a Masters of Arts at Georgetown.

Dooley practiced as an attorney in post war years, as Richmond rebuilt the business district which had been destroyed by fire in the last days of the Confederacy. He was elected to the Virginia Legislature, serving from 1871 to 1877. He diversified his wealth in various business ventures, including the Richmond and Danville, Sloss-Sheffield Iron and Steel Company, the Chesapeake and Ohio, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the Richmond and West Point, the Land, Navigation and Improvement Company, the West End Home Building Fund, the Richmond and St. Paul Land and Improvement Company, the Merchants National Bank, and various ventures in Birmingham.

Of his philanthropic and civic relationships, Dooley played a part in St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Medical College of Virginia, Dooley Hospital, Virginia Cooperative Education Association, Irish famine victims, Richmond Art Club, Deep Run Hunt, the Westmoreland, the Commonwealth Clubs in Richmond, and the Manhattan and University Clubs in New York City.

Major Dooley died on November 16, 1922 at Grace Hospital at the age of 81. He first was buried with his former Confederate comrades in Hollywood Cemetery, and later reinterred upon completion of the mausoleum at Maymont. Through the many bequests of his will, he became one of Richmond's greatest benefactors. To St. Joseph's Orphanage, he left three million dollars, the largest bequest ever received by a Roman Catholic charity in the U.S. up to that time. Upon his death, Richmonders learned that Maymont would be left to the City of Richmond as a park and museum subsequent to Mrs. Dooley's death. Mrs. Dooley gave a half million dollars to build the Richmond Public Library as a memorial to her husband.

Original Maymont Owner, Sallie May Dooley: A descendant of several old Virginia families, Sarah ("Sallie") O. May, the eighth of nine children, was born on June 7, 1846, in Lunenburg County at Locust Grove, the plantation of her mother's parents, Peter and Sally Bacon Jones. Her father, Dr. Henry May, was born in Petersburg and was a descendant of Nathaniel Harrison of Brandon Plantation and Sir Edward Digges, one of the early royal governors of the colony (1655-58). Her mother, Julia Jones, died when she was no more than seven years old. Thereafter, she spent lengthy visits with her older, married sisters who resided in Staunton, Virginia. She married the promising young attorney James Dooley in 1869, and they began their life together in Richmond.

In 1886, the Dooley’s acquired a tract of farmland along the James River. The childless couple, both in their forties, set about the transformation of the property. Soon it was recognized as a showplace that rivaled any of the new estates that were springing up throughout the country. Mrs. Dooley was an avid student of horticulture, and took an active role in planning Maymont's gardens and overseeing their maintenance.

Sallie Dooley was also a writer, and her poetry and stories express both her passion for gardens and her love of the rural, antebellum world of her childhood. Her book, "Dem Good Ole Times," published by Doubleday, Page and Co. in 1906 (second printing, 1916), is a collection of reflections and stories told from the perspective a former slave. In the local color tradition of 19th century fiction, the book is written in the black dialect of Southside Virginia that Mrs. Dooley knew from her childhood in Lunenburg County. Her book is an example of the romanticized literature of the Lost Cause.

In 1892, Mrs. Dooley became the founding regent of Virginia's first chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Old Dominion Chapter. She was also a charter member of the Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Virginia, a member of the Order of the Crown (Americans of royal descent), and a supporter of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the Virginia Historical Society. Mrs. Dooley and her husband hosted lavish parties, several attended by hundreds of guests and catered by a New York firm. As prominent members of the community, the Dooley’s took part in the important social gatherings of the city.

Sallie Dooley died at her summer home, Swannanoa, on September 5, 1925 at the age of 79. Her will included several sizable bequests: $500,000 to the Crippled Children's Hospital, $500,000 to the Richmond Public Library and $250,000 to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. She designated that her jewels be sold to benefit Episcopal missions. As recommended by her husband, she left Maymont to the City of Richmond to be used as a public park and museum. It opened to the public in March 1926.

Maymont Mansion’s Hours of Operation: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-5pm (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Upstairs guided tour, self-guided basement exhibit, suggested donation: $5/person.

In 1886, James and Sallie Dooley acquired farmland on the banks of the James River, where they planned to build a new home. Their architect, Edgerton Stewart Rogers (1860-1901), born and educated in Rome, combined the Romanesque Revival style with the picturesque Queen Anne for the Dooley residence. By 1893, the Dooley’s were living in their new 12,000 square-foot, 33-room home, which they named “May Mont,” a name which combines Mrs. Dooley’s maiden name and the French word for hill.

Among historic house museums, the Maymont Mansion is rare in that no intervening families or adaptive conversions separate us from the original owner’s 32-year occupancy. Despite the fact that no architectural drawings or other early records of its construction and design have survived, its physical integrity and ongoing research has provided a solid base of documentation. Within six months of Mrs. Dooley’s death in 1925, the mansion was opened to the public as a museum. The upper floors’ interiors and a large original collection remained relatively untouched until the beginning of the restoration in 1970. Since the nonprofit Maymont Foundation took responsibility for the estate in 1975, extensive conservation and restoration have greatly enhanced its authenticity, condition, and presentation.

Thus today, Maymont Mansion is a well-preserved document of Gilded Age design and the taste of well-educated, cosmopolitan millionaires. The house also illustrates the dynamic interplay between server and served, working class and upper class and black and white through a compelling exhibition in its restored below stairs rooms – the culmination of a decade-long research project that was completed in 2005.

Upstairs Maymont: In Richmond, Maymont was the most elaborate of several elite homes that reflected the high style of the day, characterized by the juxtaposition and often asymmetrical arrangements of patterns, tones and textures, and historical and exotic styles. The principal rooms each have distinct characters. The adjoining drawing rooms mirror French 18th-century styles. The walls of both rooms are covered in silk damask, the hearthstones are white onyx, and the friezes and ceilings are embellished with fine, ornamental plasterwork and decorative painting. The small den is Near Eastern, and the living hall with its imposing English Renaissance-inspired mantelpiece brings to mind the “baronial hall” of romanticized history. The library is a superb expression of eclecticism and “artistic” taste of the late 1880s and 90s. The ceiling and frieze are embellished with stenciling and strap work carried out in mahogany, the wood used throughout the room, including the original Venetian blinds. The principal rooms are enriched by stained glass transoms, carved woodwork, and decorative ceiling and wall treatments.

The second floor includes a central living hall, lit by an immense Tiffany Studios stained glass window that rises above the grand stairway; the morning room, furnished with a painted satinwood set; the famous swan bedroom; two additional bedrooms; and two tiled bathrooms.

When completed, the Maymont Mansion boasted the latest modern conveniences of the era: electric lighting, an elevator, three full bathrooms, and central heat.

Twelve restored rooms on the first and second floors are on view during general tours. For more information about Maymont Collection Details and Highlights List, please visit www.maymont.org.

Maymont Below stairs: When you enter Maymont Mansion’s upper floors, you step into the luxurious world of James and Sallie May Dooley. But at the same time, many men and women experienced Maymont as a workplace. At any given moment, the Dooley’s employed seven to ten domestic employees—nearly all African-American—to maintain the elegance and order of their home.

Domestic Staff Duties:
• Cleaned the thirty-three room mansion
• Fed a dozen people on a daily basis and hundreds on occasion
• Washed and ironed
• Helped the Dooley’s bathe and dress
• Transported them in well-running carriages and motor-cars

Maymont Mansion witnessed a dynamic interplay between employer and employee, upper-class and working-class individuals, white and black, old and young. This relationship was played out against a background of rapidly changing domestic technology. It was also set in the turbulent social and political landscape of a strictly segregated South.
Restoration of Maymont's kitchen, wine cellar, laundry, butler's bedroom, maids' bedroom, butler's pantry, and other service areas was completed in May 2005. Through eight period rooms and informational panels, visitors can now meet specific employees and consider their lives in and outside the workplace. They can also examine an era of dramatically changing household technology and learn the historical context of domestic service in Gilded Age Richmond, the South, and the United States.

Maymont's domestic employees met the challenges of running an elaborate estate, but they were much more than the sum and substance of their duties. Behind the scenes, they were individuals with their own skills, personalities, goals, and challenges. And, upon leaving Maymont's gates, they took pride, a work ethic, and modest wages into the community to raise families, support businesses and churches, and to help build today's Richmond.

Maymont’s Historical Buildings: Maymont's original 100 acres are intact and retain the architectural and landscape features in place at the time of Mrs. Dooley's death. More than 25 original buildings and garden structures are preserved.
The Normandy-style Carriage House (built of James River granite), the three-storied Stone Barn and the Water Tower were designed by Noland and Baskervill and constructed in the early 20th century. These principal buildings (in addition to the three-storied Garage, a granite compost house, chicken coop and gatehouse) all were connected by the old service road that begins at Maymont's Hampton Street entrance. Arrayed along a high ridge, this village-like assemblage of picturesque outbuildings would have been visible to guests entering along the magnolia-lined drive. These buildings have been adaptively renovated as public spaces and for institutional use.

Other original structures can be found throughout the estate. They include the Dooley’s' Doric temple-style mausoleum, gates, bridges and gazebos of differing styles including Italian Neoclassical, Victorian and rustic or Adirondack.

Maymont’s Carriage Collection: The Carriage Collection at Maymont was established in 1975 through the support of Elisabeth Scott Bocock, daughter of Frederic R. Scott, one of Major Dooley's business associates. The primary purpose of the Maymont Carriage Collection is to interpret horse-drawn transportation typical of country estates in Virginia during the period that the Dooley’s lived at Maymont (1893-1925). The collection now totals more than 20 vehicles, including equestrian equipment, harnesses, lap robes, carriage whips and sleigh bells. Some rare vehicles in the collection include the park drag, bailey buggy, raffia governess cart, high-wheel sulky and landau. Several were donated from Mrs. Bocock's Early Virginia Vehicular Museum. Others have been generously donated over the years from private collections.

Carriages typically owned by families such as the Dooley’s are displayed in the Dooley’s' Carriage House, designed by Noland and Baskervill and completed in 1904. This building, constructed of granite quarried on the property, was the residence of the coachman and also housed the Dooley’s' carriage and riding horses. Adjacent to the stall, a large tack room provided storage for harness and horse equipment. Characteristic of carriage-house floor plans, this handsome building has a central courtyard with a cobblestone floor where the horses were "put to" the carriages and where both horses and carriages could be washed after a long drive on dusty or muddy roads. Maymont's Carriage House exhibit affords a rare opportunity in the region to view a representative collection of fine vehicles actually housed in the appropriate period setting on a late-19th-century estate.

The collection also includes some unique commercial and special-use vehicles that are housed in Shed Row, the work yard area behind the Carriage House. Examples include a horse-drawn hearse, several toy and children's vehicles, and a Thalhimer delivery wagon used by the historic Richmond department store in the 1890s. Also located in Shed Row are the horse stalls, as well as two reproduction vehicles: a wagonette and a surrey (used on-site for public rides and weddings); and several light exercise carts, harness and other equipment.

Mrs. Bocock envisioned that the Maymont Carriage Collection should not only provide an exhibition of period vehicles, but that visitors should be able to experience a dynamic interpretation of 1890s transportation. And so with her support, the carriage ride program was instituted for the public, within the beautiful period environment of the Dooley’s' estate.

Carriage horses offer rides to the public, receive lots of pets from young visitors, and are often seen in photos and local advertising. They are stars among Maymont's animal collection, and children who visit Maymont always look for them in their pasture at the Children's Farm or in their stalls at Shed Row. Holiday programs and other festive events would not be the same without their pretty faces and hard work, giving rides for the enjoyment of Maymont's visitors.

The carriage staff is privileged to have the opportunity to introduce visitors to the unique lifestyle of the 1890s, and to provide a pleasurable experience for those who visit the historic house and gardens of Maymont.

Carriage Ride Information: Call (804) 358-7166 ext. 340 for dates and times. 10-minute ride; $5 adults; $3 children. Maymont also provides private rides: Perhaps your club is interested in a leisurely trip through Maymont's 100 acres aboard our Tram? Maybe you want to offer carriage rides to families attending your company picnic? Or perhaps you've been looking for a romantic way to show your wife that she'll always be your bride? Maymont can help! For reservations, call 804-358-7166, ext. 340 or email druqus@maymont.org. Private Carriage Tours: $100 Full park tour to Japanese Garden, $50 Half park tour near Maymont House Museum, (add $50 per hour for bookings after 5pm), Choose a casual 6-passenger wagonette or elegant 2-passenger surrey. Group Carriage Rides: $200 per hour, (add $50 per hour for bookings after 5pm), 5-10 minute rides near Maymont House Museum in a 6-passenger wagonette , (max. 6 people per ride/$72 per hour). Wedding Carriage Rides: please visit Maymont’s wedding page for details.

Maymont Gardens:
Italian Garden: It is easy to forget, as one strolls through the Italian Garden, that Maymont is a public park. The garden is magnificent—featuring exquisite stonework, statuary, gazebos, fountains and, of course, beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees. The Victorian garden is far better suited to an exclusive mansion than to a public space. And yet, during its unique existence, Maymont has been both—a private estate joyously thrust open to the public through the generosity of its owners.
Major and Mrs. James H. Dooley originally commissioned Maymont's gardens at the turn of the 20th century. The sweeping lawns that surround their mansion and the other estate buildings were landscaped in the English pastoral style. In contrast to this planned, naturalistic landscape was the formality of the Italian Garden.

Noland and Baskervill of Richmond designed the Dooley’s' Italian Garden, using elements of the classical style developed in Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries as their model. In fact, their designs for the Cascade as well as the Fountain Court above the east entrance to the garden appear to have been patterned after similar features at the Villa Torlonia near Rome. Completed in 1910, the Italian Garden's exquisite stonework is Petersburg granite, and remains unmatched by any other public garden.

The Maymont Italian garden incorporates a number of features characteristic of the Italian style: fountains, geometrically-shaped beds, sculpture, the contrast of sun and shade within the long pergola that stretches along the northern edge of the garden. In keeping with the classical ideal, the Maymont Italian garden was laid out in several levels and situated on a south-facing slope overlooking a body of water. An expansive vista of the James River was visible from the Italian Garden in 1910.
The formal entrance to the Italian Garden is at its western end, oriented toward Maymont Mansion. A stone arch with the Latin inscription "Via Florum" (flowering way) marks the transition from informal parkland into the enclosed world of the Italian Garden. The Via Florum Garden, flourishing along the walks that connect Maymont Mansion to the Italian Garden, is under restoration through funding from the Maymont Council for Conservation, Preservation and Restoration.

One enters the garden under the shelter of the pergola, a structure consisting of parallel rusticated granite colonnades supporting a trellis-work roof on which two species of wisteria are trained. Early photographs, however, indicate that climbing roses were originally trained along the pergola. The pergola is terminated by a dome under which the slightest sound produces a curious echo. The Italian Garden pergola is especially sought after for outdoor weddings during the warmer months of the year.

Geometrically patterned beds, or parterres, are a distinct element of the Italian style. Traditionally, Italian gardens had few flowers. The plants were primarily evergreens for texture and shape, often in manicured topiary. The shaped beds of Maymont's main level, however, reflect the Victorian taste for flowers, now the modern preference as well.
Three additional levels of the garden can be seen from the main level: the Secret Garden, the Promenade and the Cascade. In Italian gardens of the Renaissance, the secret garden was designed as a small, enclosed courtyard to which ladies could retire to talk and do needlework.

To the east is an important vista designed to be viewed from the garden. The focal point of the view is a gazebo of classical design imported from Italy by the Dooley’s. This charming complement to the Italian Garden is at its loveliest in late spring when the peonies encircling the gazebo are in full bloom.

In 1997, Maymont took action to restore the relationship of the Italian Garden to the larger landscape. Archival photographs documented that the views from the Italian Garden were a key design element. To restore these vistas, the Maymont Horticultural Committee approved the removal of Hick's Yew, Taxus baccata 'Hicksii', in the main garden and shrubs along its east end-all planted under the direction of the City of Richmond in the 1950s and 1960s. Roses, similar to those favored by Mrs. Dooley, replaced the yews, while American Boxwoods were replanted in the granite planter boxes lining the perimeter of the main garden. The spaciousness of the garden; its correlation to the Italian marble gazebo and waterfall; and its relationship to the surrounding landscape was enhanced.

Since the Dooley’s summered at Swannanoa, their estate in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, spring flowers were emphasized in their gardens at Maymont. However, as Maymont now enjoys year-round visitors, its garden beds are planted with a variety of shrubs and flowers that bloom from spring through fall.

When visiting Maymont's Italian Garden, consider its geometrical design, its multiple levels, its historical vistas, its color combinations and its relationship to the larger landscape.

Japanese Garden: Maymont's naturalistic Japanese Garden contrasts strongly with the formality of the Italian Garden. Descending into the Japanese Garden and entering through its distinct gates is like stepping onto a different continent. The space is cool, shaded and intimate. Sounds are muted and even children become more introspective and observant. While not a religious garden, the space is unmistakably reflective.

Maymont's Japanese Garden is blend of several different styles of Japanese gardens and two distinct periods of design. In 1911, the Dooley’s purchased a wedge-shaped section of the Kanawha Canal that bordered Maymont. To create their garden, it is believed they hired Muto, a master Japanese gardener who had designed gardens for other estates along the East Coast.
Landscaped gardens originated in China, and around the 7th century they were introduced into Japan by Korean gardeners. The Japanese adapted the Chinese and Korean ideas to suit their own purposes.

The original Japanese Garden at Maymont encompassed a much smaller area. Several features from that garden remain, including the stonework around the base of the waterfall, several trees and the winding watercourse that leads to the large pond. Unfortunately, during the decades following Mrs. Dooley's death, the garden gradually lost much of its original splendor and detail.

In 1978, the garden was renovated by Earth Design, Inc. The style reproduced at Maymont is called a "stroll garden" and is designed to offer the visitor changing impressions of nature as the various areas come into view. In renovation, elements from classical gardens in Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara were incorporated.

The Maymont Japanese Garden now includes trained and pruned trees and shrubs, raked sand pools, stone groupings and multiple water areas—all designed to create the impression of an old, naturally developed landscape. Design elements include stone lanterns, paths and bridges.

Green, brown and gray colors are emphasized to represent the ruggedness of natural scenery. Flowers are used discreetly. Water iris bloom along the water's edge in spring, followed by the floating blooms of the water lily in summer. Cherry blossoms mark the passing of time.

Recent additions to the garden include the north entrance gate, a traditional archway; accent plantings by the pond; two new lanterns; and a new pathway along the pond. These and other renovations have been made possible through the ongoing support of Ikebana of Richmond, federal grants and the William B. Thalhimer and Family Foundation.

When visiting Maymont's Japanese Garden, understand that the beauty of this garden is in its subtleness. Consider its sparse use of flowers, notice textures and observe the numerous shades of green, brown and gray. Contrast the gardens of the East (Japanese) with those of the West (Italian).

A Japanese Garden Guide and Map, available for purchase at the Visitor Center, provides interpretive information, including history and Japanese symbolism, to enrich appreciation of the Japanese Garden.

Arboretum: Maymont's 1009 acres are populated with thousands of stunning trees and shrubs. Species native to Virginia abound at Maymont, many notable for their size and beauty. However, Maymont's Arboretum also includes more than 200 exotic species of trees and plants imported by the Dooley’s in the early 20th century, when Major Dooley began a planting program of considerable magnitude.

The Dooley’s traveled around the world and visited gardens of international acclaim. It is presumed that these visits fueled their desire to develop a tree collection for Maymont. The Dooley’s' collection of exotic and native species indicates an unusual degree of sophistication, suggesting that trees were collected not only for their beauty, but also for scientific and educational purposes. The size and age of many of the exotic specimens indicate that they were carefully placed to allow for optimum future growth. Among these are the False Larch, Pseudolarix kaempferi, from Japan; the White Enkianthus, Enkianthus perulatus, a shrub from China; and the Persian Ironwood, Parrotia persica.

In 1986, Maymont's tree collection was recognized by tree experts as one of the country's notable arboretums. In a 1982 Museum Assessment Program survey report, Gordon Tarbox, Jr., Director of Brookgreen Gardens, noted that "the magnificent tree collection could not be duplicated in one hundred years." Today, Maymont's Arboretum is home to several "exotic champions" including the Blue Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica; Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica; European Vineleaf Linden, Tilia europea and the previously mentioned Persian Ironwood.

One of the fortunate characteristics of Maymont's tree collection is that the individual specimens were originally situated with plenty of room to expand. As noted horticulturist Robert Hebb once commented, "whoever did the original tree planting was very, very knowledgeable about the way trees grow." Too often, only years later is it realized that trees have been planted too close together. "The original landscape architects," according to Mr. Hebb, "were pretty forward-looking to suffer the barren look for our benefit."

Unique too, are the unparalleled vistas of natural beauty found on the estate that appear neither contrived nor planned. This critical achievement exemplifies of one of the most important objectives of the landscape garden style. Today's casual visitor may notice the more formalized arrangement of trees along Magnolia Drive or the stylized allée of evergreens alongside the Gate House, but most would find it hard to believe that when this tract of land was purchased by the Dooley’s in the late 1880s, it was simply open farmscape.

Much of the credit, of course, must go to the Dooley’s themselves, who were intimately involved in every aspect of their estate's development. Henry E. Baskervill, the architect for the Italian Garden and Fountain Court as well as the outbuildings, presumably had a hand in directing the plans for the overall landscape design as well.

Some of the most distinguished specimens in the Dooley’s arboretum are concentrated on the lawns surrounding Maymont Mansion, most convenient to the Hampton Street entrance.

As public trustee of this priceless tree collection, the Maymont Foundation recognizes its responsibility to future generations to both preserve the old trees and, equally important, to initiate a vigorous planting program to ensure the future health of this living collection. With assistance from such granting institutions as the Institute for Museum Services (IMS), America the Beautiful and the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Foundation is working to stabilize the condition of the original collection.

Specialty Gardens:
Marie's Butterfly Trail was completed in 2009. It begins just east of the Children's Farm barn, and fills spaces along the roadway between the horse and cow pastures and down the hill to the Bobcat habitat. The flower beds are filled with yarrow, butterfly weed, cone flowers, butterfly bushes, sunflowers, blue spirea, herbs and other butterfly-attracting plants. Signage describes the butterfly's life cycle and why certain plants entice these winged beauties to linger. Funding for the Butterfly Trail was provided by Jack and Mary Spain in memory of Jack's mother, Marie Spain. For more information regarding how to attract butterflies to your garden, plants grown on the Butterfly trail, butterflies commonly seen in Virginia, and butterfly fun facts, please visit the following site for a PDF file of butterfly info:  Butterfly PDF.

The Cactus Garden is not original to Maymont's grounds, but is located in one of the Dooley’s' original garden sites. In 2000, a Maymont horticulturist discovered a small oval marked "flowers" on a 1934 topographical map. The oval corresponded with a row of stones that existed beside a modern paved walkway. Excavation led to the discovery of an entire oval, created in stone, marking the original plot. There was no question that the garden should be restored, but lack of a water source posed a dilemma. Sandy's Plants, Inc. of Richmond offered the solution—a Cactus Garden (one of Richmond's first public cactus gardens) and donated all the plants. The Cactus Garden is located between the Bear Habitat and the lower entrance to the Japanese Garden. It may be reached by any entrance and is convenient to the Japanese Garden Tram stop.

The Carriage House Garden is not an original part of the Maymont estate as designed by the Dooley’s. The wall enclosing the garden was built by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. This garden is filled with shrubs, bulbs, perennials and annuals, offering a constant array of color. The Carriage House Garden is located amidst Maymont's original architectural complex and is most convenient to Maymont's Hampton Street entrance.

The Daylily and Daffodil Display Garden is a growing proof that daylilies and daffodils make great garden bedfellows. Over 55 cultivars of Narcissus sp. (daffodils) representing 13 classification divisions of the genus Narcissus grow in this garden. The Narcissus sp. cultivars bloom from late winter to late spring. As the Narcissus foliage fades the daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.) begin to grow then bloom into fall. Maymont grows examples of daylilies known as repeat bloomers. These cultivars are bred for their ability to bloom more than once during the growing season. With 150 Hemerocallis sp. cultivars repeat blooming from May through September, the garden is a colorful sight. The Daylily Garden is located near the Children's Farm and is most convenient to Maymont's Spottswood Road entrance.

The Grotto, created around 1911, is a very rare example in the United States of a garden feature popular from ancient Rome through the Rococo period. Simulated grottoes such as the one at Maymont were incorporated into picturesque landscapes to reflect the hidden and dark aspect of nature in contrast to bright uplands and flower gardens. Originally separated both physically and thematically from the adjacent oriental landscape, the Grotto was absorbed into the Japanese Garden in a 1970s renovation.

Noland and Baskervill, designers of the Italian Garden, also designed the Grotto. It was originally lined with cave formations, and water channeled from a nearby spring dripped down its stalagmites to gather in a shallow pool that formed its floor. Statues of sleeping lions, based on originals by Canova, flank the Grotto. The Grotto is a very important element of the original estate landscape. This unique landscape feature was restored in 2006 with a grant from the 1772 Foundation. The Grotto is located on the north border of the Japanese Garden and is convenient to the Japanese Garden Tram stop.

The Herb Garden was donated by the Richmond Council of Garden Clubs in 1957, and has been maintained by the Old Dominion Herb Society since 1978. This garden displays herbs for culinary, medicinal and potpourri uses. Herbs are organically grown so visitors may touch, smell and taste. The Herb Garden is the centerpiece of Maymont's annual "Herbs Galore" festival and sale. It is located beside the original Stone Barn and is most convenient to Maymont's Hampton Street entrance.

Restoration of the six-acre Maymont House Ornamental Lawn was completed in 2000, the culmination of a two-year project by the Garden Club of Virginia. The late-Victorian ornamental grounds now appear as they did during the Dooley era (1893-1925). Restoration was carefully conducted using period documentation, photographs, aerial views and even watercolors from the Maymont archives. Work included the replacement and/or repair of original walkways, rose arbors, bowers, specimen trees and the re-installation of a large shrub labyrinth, in the shape of a wagon wheel. Based on observations of lawn discoloration and slight depressions, the shrub labyrinth now stands precisely in its original location and includes shrubs and evergreens invoiced and mapped in the Dooley archives. The Maymont House Lawn is most convenient to Maymont's Hampton Street entrance.

A Native Virginia Landscape was a logical choice for the grounds of the new Maymont Nature & Visitor Center. After all, the Center exclusively features wildlife native to Virginia's James River. Native Virginia trees and shrubs now fill 1,314 holes surrounding the Nature Center, including its parking area and surrounding hillsides. Plants like Virginia Sweetspire, Clethra alnifolia; Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia; Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum; and Sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum were chosen for their ability to withstand the poorly drained and compacted soil found at the site. When visiting the Nature & Visitor Center, take the opportunity to learn about native Virginia plants.

Jack's Vegetable Garden was expanded in 2008. The area, located beside the Children's Farm barn, features walkways on two sides for easy viewing and contains a series of 11 raised beds, a cold frame, unique containers and a demonstration compost area to show the benefits of recycling garden refuse. Harvests may include tomatoes, carrots, green beans, corn and pumpkins. The plot promotes simple gardening techniques in which the whole family can participate. Funding for the Vegetable Garden was provided by Jack and Mary Spain in memory of Jack's father, Jack Spain.

The Via Florum Garden flourishes along the walkways from Maymont House to the Italian Garden. In classic, formal Italian gardens, the house is incorporated or connected to the main garden. Maymont's "Via Florum" or "flowering way," exemplifies the influence of Italian landscape design on the Dooley’s' estate. A stone arch with the Latin inscription, "Via Florum," marks the transition from informal parkland into the enclosed world of the Italian Garden. This area was restored with funds from Maymont's Council for Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration (The Council). The Via Florum Garden is most convenient to Maymont's Hampton Street entrance.

Nature Center: The Robins Nature & Visitor Center at Maymont is dedicated to native Virginia wildlife. Rather than displaying a host of exotic creatures from distant seas, the Nature Center interprets the natural environment of the James River. Visitors are astonished to discover the staggering variety of species living in Richmond's own backyard.
A 20-foot waterfall cascades into the first of 13 giant, linked aquariums that are home to playful river otters, turtles and fish of all shapes and sizes. Interactive galleries, including a replica of Richmond's floodwall and a weather station, complete this memorable river experience.

While many visitors enjoy self-guided visits through the exhibits, a variety of staff-led educational programs are offered throughout the year. In addition to behind-the-scenes tours, night hikes and many other public programs, the Nature Center is visited annually by nearly 50,000 school children attending classes which reinforce Virginia's Standards of Learning.
To insure that Maymont remains free to the public, a $4 donation is suggested at the Nature Center. Remember, all groups of 6 or more require a reservation (even for self-guided visits) and the suggested group donation is $2 per person.

Thousands of area families salute the importance of Maymont with their annual membership. Others (including children, families, grandparents, schools, organizations, religious institutions, clubs and businesses) choose to "Adopt A Living Thing" and provide the funds to feed one particular animal for an entire year.

Nature Center Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 – 5pm. For Maymont members, the Center is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

The Visitor Center offers murals, displays and a large topographical map to help guests plan their day. It also is a great place to learn about the history and gardens of Maymont.

Maymont Café: Stop by the Maymont Café, operated by Boss-Chi Catering LLC, to enjoy light luncheon fare like sandwiches, salads, hot dogs and pizza. The Café is located in the Nature & Visitor Center and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 3pm, weather permitting. Call 804-358-7166, ext. 339 for information.

Children’s Farm: Maymont's Children's Farm features domestic animals raised on Virginia farms. The Farm is open year-round and offers all visitors insight into the farm-life experience and the production of food and textiles. Children are welcome to feed and pet many animals on display. The Farm is home to a variety of goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, peafowl (peacocks and peahens), turkeys, cattle, horses, geese and ducks.

The Children's Farm also hosts rare breeds of livestock which were once common on farms in Virginia. Some of these animals are no longer used in modern agriculture and may become endangered. Rare breeds include Scotch Highland and Dutch Belted cows, the Barbados Black belly sheep and others.

To insure that Maymont remains free to the public, a $4 per person donation is suggested at the Children's Farm.

A visit to the Children's Farm is always fun, but never the same. Regular visitors know that the Farm changes by the hour and by the season. The morning crow of a rooster captivates curious babies, while school and birthday party groups are ecstatic to participate during feeding time. Big brothers and sisters marvel at the day's end "parade," when animals are corralled from the fields to the Barn.

All the seasons offer opportunities to learn about and appreciate the domestic animals of Virginia. Check the calendar for upcoming programs and events throughout the year.

All of Maymont's animals are well cared for by a team of animal professionals, including full-time zoologists and aquarists as well as part-time animal keepers. Maymont's animal volunteer staff varies seasonally; many volunteers are needed year-round.

Native Virginia Wildlife Exhibits: Maymont's Wildlife Exhibits are scattered throughout the 40-acre valley between the historical estate, Children's Farm and Nature Center. All exhibits feature native Virginia wildlife in their natural habitats, including black bears, bison, white-tailed and sika deer, elk, gray and red fox, bobcats, birds of prey and an aviary displaying an impressive array of birds, many representing Virginia's wetlands.

The envy of zoologists across the nation, Maymont's bear habitat alone is worth a visit. The large terrain includes a rock scramble, a pond (formerly a quarry pit), and multiple areas for climbing, sleeping, hiding and eating. The exhibit is multi-species—including red fox, turtles and ducks; undergoes seasonal changes on its own; features thriving vegetation with diversity that is naturally occurring; and even hosts migratory birds.

Maymont's exhibits include many other healthy, but non-releasable, wild animals. These animals are accepted only from licensed rehabilitators and agencies that expertly nurse orphaned or injured wildlife back to health. While most rehabilitated animals are released into the wild, some animals are deemed unable to survive without assistance and find refuge at Maymont, where they serve important roles as wildlife ambassadors in education programs and exhibits.

All of Maymont's animals are well cared for by a team of professional zoologists, including full-time zoologists, part-time animal keepers & full-time aquarists. Maymont's animal volunteer staff varies seasonally; many volunteers are needed year-round.

A first visit to Maymont is best started at the Robins Nature & Visitor Center—Maymont's front door—but a history lover will soon find a path to the 1893 Maymont Mansion while a plant lover will find the elaborate Japanese and Italian gardens. And animal lovers will delight in the Nature Center, Wildlife Exhibits and Children's Farm. Seekers of solitude will select the perfect spot under a stately elm or beside a babbling brook. Lovers of all kind will start somewhere, and understand and love every aspect of it.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Please note that Maymont's grounds have different hours than its indoor exhibits. You may visit Maymont's outdoor spaces daily, but please see below for various exhibit hours.

Grounds, Wildlife Exhibits and Gardens
Daily, 10am - 5pm
Hampton Street and Spottswood Road entrances remain open until 7pm from April - October, weather permitting.
Exhibits & Services
Indoor exhibits are closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Exhibits are open on some Monday holidays; call for information.

Maymont Mansion
Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm
Guided tours on the hour and half-hour; last tour begins at 4:30pm.
$5 per person suggested donation
Go to the basement for a self-guided tour of the below stairs exhibit and to sign up for a guided tour of the upper floors. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more

Visitor Center and Nature Center Exhibits
Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm
Self-guided
$4 per person suggested donation
Open to Maymont members Tuesday - Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Reservations are required for groups of 6 or more

Children's Farm Barn
Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm
Self-guided
$2 per person suggested donation

Carriage Collection
Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm
On exhibit at the Carriage House

Maymont Café
Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 3pm
Weather permitting
Located in the Visitor Center
Operated by Boss-Chi Catering, LLC

Carriage Rides
Call 804-358-7166 ext. 340 for dates and times
Weather permitting
10-minute ride: $5 adults; $3 for children.
Private tours by appointment year-round

Tram Rides
Saturday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm
Weather permitting.
$3 adults; $2 children; Members free
The tram makes a continuous loop with stops approximately every 20 minutes at the Children's Farm, Nature & Visitor Center, Japanese Garden, Maymont Mansion and the Hampton Street entrance. Private rides available by reservation.
Please Note: There is a required minimum of six passengers for the tram to remain in operation. Call in advance to confirm tram availability on the day of your visit.

Hay Wagon Rides
June-August, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm
Weather permitting
$3 adults; $2 children
Offered at the Children's Farm

Maymont Foundation Offices
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Located in the Carriage House

Entrances: The Nature & Visitor Center is located at 2201 Shields Lake Drive in Byrd Park. This is the best place for new visitors to begin, or to reach the Visitor Center, Nature Center and Maymont Cafe. The Hampton Street Entrance is located at 1700 Hampton Street. This entrance provides the easiest access to Maymont House, the Herb Garden, and Italian Garden, the Maymont Foundation offices in the Carriage House, Stone Barn, Garage, Assembly Hall and Coop. The Spottswood Entrance is at the corner of Spottswood Road and Shirley Lane. This is closest to the Children's Farm and paths to the Wildlife Exhibits.
Maymont also offers summer camps, classes, boy scout and girl scout credit

Maymont’s Annual Events: WITH LOVE FROM YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTTER, February, Robins Nature & Visitor Center, This enchanting evening features river otter antics, live music, heavy hor d'oeuvres and fine beverages. Sponsored by the Dooley Noted Society, Maymont's young professionals group. FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, February, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond's requisite harbinger of spring, this annual gardening celebration features great garden displays, unique shopping opportunities and expert speakers. SPRING! March-May, Richmond families know there's no better time to visit Maymont than in the spring, and now the reasons to visit are multiplying as fast as our baby bunnies. Every weekend from March through May, new experiences await as Maymont presents a whirlwind of programs and events showcasing every facet of the park and Victorian estate. Fees vary; some activities are weather-dependent. FAMILY EASTER, Saturday of Easter weekend, Maymont Grounds, A Richmond Easter tradition comes to life when Maymont is filled with holiday activities for children. Visits with the Easter Bunny, bonnet-making, an assortment of games and a giant maze dazzle children of all ages. Plus, storytelling under the bunny tree, live musical entertainment and the NBC-12 Golden Egg Hunt provide additional fun for the entire family. Fees for activities. SPRING BREAK, Monday-Friday of Public Schools' Holiday Week, Families enjoy a full week of fun nature and history activities during Spring Break. Scavenger hunts, animal encounters, Victorian games and much more keep the kids entertained while school is out. Sign up for an individual program or enjoy them all! Fees for activities. HERBS GALORE & MORE!, Last Saturday in April, Carriage House Lawn, Put on your gardening shoes, grab your little red wagon and come out to the Marketplace on the Lawn for everyone's favorite gardening extravaganza! More than 50 plant and craft vendors from the mid-Atlantic region sell herbs, annuals, perennials, heirloom plants, vegetables, trees, herbal products, luncheon fare and more. Fun demonstrations and classes get you motivated to grow and use herbs. Fees vary for classes; advance registration for classes is recommended. COCKTAIL CLASSIC, May, Robins Nature & Visitor Center, Swing, stir and shake under the stars at the Maymont Nature & Visitor Center. Enjoy jumping jazz and savor signature drinks and food from Richmond's local hot spots. Sponsored by the Dooley Noted Society, Maymont's young professionals group. WINE & BEER CLASSIC, September, Robins Nature & Visitor Center, Enjoy live music on the South Terrace of the Nature & Visitor Center as you sip a great variety of wine and beer from local wineries and breweries. Sponsored by the Dooley Noted Society, Maymont's young professionals group. MCDONALD'S X-COUNTRY FESTIVAL, September, Maymont Grounds, The whole family can participate in this cross-country run over the hills at Maymont. The event is organized by the Sports Backers and features various races for different age groups, genders and abilities. A portion of the proceeds benefits Maymont. VINTAGE MAYMONT, October, The Jefferson Hotel, At this premier auction, participants can expect an exciting evening with a high spirited crowd and extraordinary items up for bid including unique vacation packages, fine wines, beautiful artwork and more. The auction sells out every year, so reserve your tickets early. Begins with a reception and silent auction followed by a dinner and live auction, all to benefit the Maymont Foundation. VICTORIAN HOLIDAYS, November-January, Visions of sugarplums will dance in your head as you experience the splendors of the holidays at Maymont. Join us for dazzling tours of the lavishly decorated Maymont Mansion, intimate holiday tours of Maymont by moonlight, and the annual old-fashioned Christmas festivities. Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Fees for activities.

For information on any of Maymont's events and programs, call 804-358-7166, ext. 310 or visit the website at www.maymont.org.