Richmond
The Jefferson
FRANKLIN AND ADAMS STREETS, RICHMOND, VA
A blend of Beaux Arts and Renaissance Revival inspired by the
Villa Medici, the extraordinary Jefferson Hotel opened on Halloween 1895, for
the wedding reception of Irene Langhorne Gibson, the Gibson Girl. Damaged by
fire in 1901, The Jefferson reopened in 1907, enlarged and offering novel
features including fish and alligator ponds in the Palm Court. Magnificently
restored, The Jefferson is a showcase of architectural detail: upper and lower
lobbies with faux marble columns, stained glass skylights, and the noted E.V
Valentine sculpture of Thomas Jefferson.
E.V Valentine sculpture of Thomas Jefferson
Particularly famous is the 36-step
grand staircase,
which some say inspired the great staircase in the movie Gone With The Wind.
Richmond became the capital of the
Commonwealth of Virginia in 1779. The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas
Jefferson and built in a neoclassical style, was completed in 1788. Wings were
added to the original
Harry Flood Byrd
George Washington
