Violet Bank Museum facts for kids
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Violet Bank
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Violet Bank Museum
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Royal Oak Ave., Colonial Heights, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002234 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1974 |
Violet Bank is an old house in Colonial Heights, Virginia, that is now a museum. It's a special place because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's important for American history. The house has a long past, including playing a role in the American Revolutionary War.
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A Home with History
The story of Violet Bank began in 1777. A man named Thomas Shore bought 144 acres of land on "Archers Hill." He finished building the first house there in 1778. This original house looked like many other homes in Virginia at that time.
Revolutionary War Headquarters
In 1781, during the American Revolutionary War, the house became very important. It served as the headquarters for General Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette. He was a French general who helped the American forces. His stay at Violet Bank was at the start of a major military plan. This plan eventually led to the British surrendering at the Siege of Yorktown.
Battles at Violet Bank
Two battles of the Revolutionary War happened right on the hillside near Violet Bank. The first was in March 1781. It involved American troops led by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. The second battle was in April 1781, with General Lafayette in command. Both battles were against British Major General William Phillips.
General Phillips even wrote about the property in a message. He said his troops tried to take the high ground near Thomas Shore's house. But they were pushed back and lost about 200 soldiers. Phillips wanted to control the river crossing and a main road. These were important for moving troops and supplies.
Phillips later became sick and died. He was buried in a secret grave so the American rebels wouldn't disturb it. He was one of the highest-ranking British officers buried outside of Great Britain. After Phillips died, General Cornwallis took over. He decided to leave Virginia because he couldn't defeat Lafayette.
Lafayette's Return
General Lafayette visited Violet Bank again many years later in 1824. This was during his last trip to the United States as an official guest. The house looked very different by then.
The House Burns Down
In 1810, the house caught fire. It's believed the fire started on a Sunday when the family was at church. Thomas Shore had died in 1800. His wife, Jane Grey, had remarried Henry Haxall. They and Shore's three daughters lived in the house when it burned. The kitchen in the cellar was likely where the fire began.
Amazingly, the chimney stacks and foundation survived the fire. This was unusual because the mortar used back then often couldn't handle such intense heat.
Rebuilding Violet Bank
From 1810 to 1815, the house was rebuilt. The front foundation was changed, and a completely new main house was constructed. Many experts believe the famous architect Benjamin Latrobe or one of his students designed the new Violet Bank. Latrobe was a well-known architect of that time.
The new design reused the old foundation and chimneys. This made the house's architecture quite unique. The builders had to work with what was left of the old house. They raised the ceilings and covered the brickwork with stucco. This made the house look grand and modern for its time.
Later Owners and Changes
Henry Haxall died in 1834. The estate eventually passed to the Gilliam family. They owned Violet Bank until 1873. During the American Civil War, part of the main house was used as a hospital.
The war made the Gilliam family poor, so they sold the house in 1873. Over the years, Violet Bank had several different owners. At one point, the house was even used as a cattle barn!
In 1915, the land around Violet Bank was divided up for new homes. The main part of the old house was torn down. The smaller section that remained is what we see today.
Violet Bank Today
The reduced Violet Bank was sold in 1919 to Mrs. Alice Pierrepont. She lived there until 1948. Later, the City of Colonial Heights bought the house in 1959. It was first used for the Chamber of Commerce, then as the city's first public library.
Violet Bank was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Since 1988, it has been an active Historic House Museum. It helps people learn about Federal design and American decorative arts.
See also
Images for kids
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Violet Bank Museum
