The White House and Museum of the Confederacy

Jefferson Davis called it home

     The two-story townhouse of Dr. John Brockenbrough at 12th and Clay streets in Richmond has survived the vicissitudes of time.  The design is traditionally attributed to Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument.

The house has not, however, remained unchanged.  In the 1850s the Brockenbrough house was architecturally altered to include a third floor and a cupola; Victorian features were added to the interior.  One of the finest in Richmond, the house was purchased by the city in June 1861 for Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy.  When he would not accept it as a gift the city rented it to the southern states to be used as "The White House of the Confederacy."  The Davis family was in residence until March 1865 when Varina Davis and her four children fled.

    During Reconstruction, 1865-1870, the former White House was used as U.S. Army headquarters for Military District Number 1.  Alterations were made when it was converted to use as a public school, but by 1890 it was in such sad repair the city considered tearing it down.  It was saved by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, a group that evolved from a ladies' organization devoted to tending the Confederate graves at Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.  The addition of the word "literary" gave justification for the transfer of this former city school to private hands.  It also reflected the national interest in the South evoked by the late 19th-century literary movement of southern authors.

The house was repaired and opened as a museum by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society in 1896.  The very existence of this museum prompted donations from throughout the South, and the collection grew.

    By 1976 a new Museum of the Confederacy had been built adjacent to the old Brockenbrough house.  The personal effects of Robert E. Lee, including the sword he wore at Appomattox, are the museum's most prized pieces.  There are military weapons and uniforms belonging to Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart, Joseph E. Johnston and A.P. Hill.  Many uniforms, letters and mementos from the soldiers who fought the battles the generals planned are on display.  Dresses, jewelry and letters from the women who fought the battles at home are also prominently featured. With the opening of the new museum, work began on restoring the White House to its appearance during the Davis residency.  On the first floor are the public rooms of the Executive Mansion that served as the social center for the political and military leaders of the Confederacy.  The second floor is restored to reflect the family quarters with nursery, private office and master bedroom.  The third floor has curatorial and educational facilities.

It, along with the Museum of the Confederacy, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. On Sunday it opens Noon to 5 P.M.  Admission is charged.

Directions: From I-95 or I-64 eastbound take Exit 74C, Broad Street.  Go west on Broad Street.  From Broad Street turn right onto 11th Street and go straight to Leigh Street.  Turn left on Leigh Street and go one block to 10th.  Turn right onto 10th and you will see a parking deck on your right.  A shuttle bus will take you to 12th and Marshall, one block from the museum.  Bring your parking ticket to be validated.