Maymont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maymont |
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Maymont Mansion was originally owned by James H. Dooley and his wife Sallie.
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| Location | Entrances at 2201 Shields Lake Drive, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, Virginia |
| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Created | 1925 |
| Operated by | Maymont Foundation |
| Visitors | 527,153 (in 2013) |
| Open | Year-round |
| Website | http://www.maymont.org/ |
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Maymont
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| Area | 100 acres (40.5 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Edgerton S. Rogers |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001062 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 16, 1971 |
Maymont is a huge park and historic estate in Richmond, Virginia. It covers 100 acres, which is about 75 football fields! This amazing place has a beautiful old mansion, which is now a museum. You can also explore an amazing tree collection, lovely Italian and Japanese gardens, and even see old carriages.
Maymont is also home to many animals. There are exhibits for local wildlife, a nature center, and a fun petting zoo.
The estate was built by a wealthy lawyer named James H. Dooley and his wife, Sallie. They finished their grand home in 1893. It sits high above the James River. The Dooleys loved Maymont so much that they decided to leave it to the people of Richmond after they passed away. Over the years, many more cool things were added to the park for everyone to enjoy.
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History of Maymont
Maymont got its name from James Dooley's wife, Sallie May. The main mansion was finished in 1893. The Dooleys also built a summer house called Swannanoa in 1913. In 2011, Maymont was recognized as one of the top 10 public spaces in the country. This award came from the American Planning Association.
Exploring the Gardens
Maymont has several beautiful gardens to explore. Each one offers a unique experience.
The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden at Maymont is a very peaceful place. It has a lovely koi pond filled with colorful fish. You can also see a large waterfall and a special gate called a torii arch. The garden features interesting rock designs and many red maple trees. It mixes different styles and time periods of Japanese gardens. In 1911, a part of the Kanawha Canal was even added to the garden.
After Mrs. Dooley passed away, the Japanese garden started to lose some of its original beauty. However, its beautiful stonework and winding water path to the pond remained. In 1978, a group called Earth Design helped to fix up the garden. The new design makes it a "stroll garden." This means visitors can walk through and see how nature changes the landscape.
The Italian Garden
The Italian Garden was designed by Noland and Baskervill. It features a beautiful pergola, which is a shaded walkway. You'll also see fountains, decorative urns, and many roses. The garden's design was inspired by classic Italian gardens from the 1400s and 1500s. It is built on different levels and faces south, once looking out over the James River. The design of the Cascade and the Fountain Court looks like parts of the Villa Torlonia near Rome. The Italian Garden was completed in 1910 when the Petersburg granite stonework was put in place.
The Arboretum and Other Gardens
The arboretum at Maymont is like a living museum of trees. It has over 200 different kinds of trees and woody plants. Some of these are very special and rare. For example, you can find a Cedrus atlantica, a Cryptomeria japonica, and a Parrotia persica. There are also exotic plants from places like Japan and China. The landscaper who helped with the Italian garden, Henry E. Baskervill, also helped design the arboretum. The Dooleys also played a big part in choosing what plants to include.
Maymont's gardens are very popular for outdoor weddings. Many ceremonies happen in the Italian Garden, the Japanese Garden, and near the many gazebos. There are also ten other special gardens. One is "Marie's Butterfly Garden," which was finished in 2009. It runs along the horse and cow pastures, down to the Bobcat habitat. You can see flowers like yarrow, butterfly weed, and sunflowers there. There is also an Herb Garden, which was given to Maymont in 1957. The Old Dominion Herb Society has taken care of it since 1978.
Amazing Animals at Maymont
Maymont is home to many animals, both farm animals and native wildlife.
Native Wildlife Exhibits
Besides the farm animals in the Children's Farm, Maymont provides a home for several animals native to Virginia. Many of these animals were injured and cannot live in the wild on their own. You can see a bald eagle, a bobcat, two black bears, and a fox. Visitors can also see elk and American bison.
The Nature Center
The nature center at Maymont has many aquatic animals that live in and around Virginia. You might see playful otters, alligators, and even sharks!
Wild Animals in the Park
Throughout the park, you might spot some wild animals living freely. Look for Canada geese, American snapping turtles, different kinds of snakes, and American bullfrogs.
Images for kids
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A view from Maymont.
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Maymont in the winter.
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Terrace Waterfall in May.
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Wisteria covered pergola
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Arbor
See also
