Stranica 134 [134]
OCR
VALENIINE MUSEUM N old Clay Street, in Richmond, there still remain many beautiful houses, reminiscent of the prominent families who played their part in the life of the city in the early years of the nineteenth century. At the far end, on a hill-top, overlooking Shockoe Valley, is the White House of the Confederacy with its majestic and imposing columns. As the Confederate Museum, it harbors today invaluable records and relics of the times of its palmy days. Just one block above is the Valentine Museum, built by the gifted architect, Robert Mills, in 1812 for John Wickham, Esq., who was the leading counsel in the defense of Aaron Burr in 1807. It is said that it was largely through his eloquence that Burr was acquitted. Chief Justice Marshall and Aaron Burr dined together with Mr. Wickham at his home. The Chief Justice was very much criticized for this by the opponents of Burr and he - replied to them, saying if Mr. Wickham did him the honor of -.inyiting him to dine at his home, he could but do him the courtesy of accepting. . During the Civil War the Honorable C. G. Memminger, Secretary of the Jreasury of the Confederate States, resided here. More recently it was the home of Mr. Mann 5. Valentine, who founded the Museum, and through whose bounty and love for the beautiful, this Treasure House has been preserved for the people of Richmond. From the street the house presents a plain and dignified, but imposing, appearance, with its thick brick stuccoed walls, and a square porch with rounded columns and broad steps leading from the street. But it is not until after we have sounded the knocker and passed through the vestibule into the most beautiful circular [81]
