#HomeHistory - 2024

Thank you to those who joined The First Lady, Governor, and Executive Mansion team at Virginia’s home to make #homehistory! Hundreds of guests and visitors were welcomed to the Mansion during the holiday season and we look forward to stewarding ‘the people’s house’ into the new year with pride and purpose! 

Click here to view the reel on Instagram.

Music is an important part of the Mansion’s #homehistory and the Governor and First Lady’s ongoing commitment to showcasing the best of Virginia. Thank you to all those who filled Virginia’s home with song and sounds this holiday season!

Click here to view the reel on Instagram.

The Virginia State Capitol serves as the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, it is home to the Virginia General Assembly, the oldest elected legislative body in our nation’s #homehistory, established in 1619. It is also the subject of this year’s Executive Mansion gingerbread creation. After months of preparation, Executive Mansion Pastry Chef Emiliano Rodriquez’s rendition is a ‘sweet’ addition to the artistry displayed in the Mansion this season.

Each year, the Virginia Capitol Foundation (VCF) produces USA-made collectible ornaments showcasing Capitol Square’s historic treasures. This year’s ornament was inspired by one of the most recognizable statues #homehistory: The George Washington Houdon Statue. This ornament will be the first in a new VCF series of Virginia President Ornaments, celebrating the Commonwealth’s legacy as “The Mother of Presidents.”

Thank you to Charlie, Karen, and the team at VCF for bringing holiday spirit to the Square with this project! To learn more or to purchase this or another ornament in the collection, visit the VCF website. All proceeds benefit the Virginia Capitol Foundation, supporting the preservation and interpretation of the Virginia Capitol, Capitol Square, and Executive Mansion.

In an ongoing effort to feature outstanding Women+girl (W+g) artists and with a nod to the Executive Mansion’s ‘A Heavenly Holiday’ theme, Richmond-based artist Amanda Tucker’s “Sacred Sisterhood” shines in the Ladies’ Parlor this holiday season. In a time where meaningful togetherness with others matters more than ever, Tucker’s painting offers inspiration amidst the season’s bustle.

The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion aims to connect our Commonwealth’s rich #homehistory with its vibrant present and exciting future. Click to learn more about the dynamic exhibition.

This holiday season, thousands of visitors will be welcomed into Virginia’s home to celebrate and experience its rich #homehistory and festive beauty. Adorned with twinkle lights, angels, bold floral arrangements and special artwork, the home was filled with smiles as dozens joined us for the Executive Mansion’s annual Holiday Open House! The Mansion’s green double doors are open to all throughout December. Plan your visit today.

This year, the Executive Mansion’s Christmas trees shine with a special touch of #homehistory: handmade angels crafted from upholstery and curtain fabric remnants that were salvaged from the 1988 renovation.
These delicate ornaments first adorned the tree after the most extensive restoration in the mansion’s 200-year history, led by former First Lady Roxane Gatling Gilmore (check out the last photo for a blast from the past).

After decades in storage, the angels return to their rightful place, symbolizing more than just holiday cheer; they honor Mrs. Gilmore’s legacy of preservation and connect us to the generations who shaped the mansion’s story.

A Heavenly Holiday at the Executive Mansion is a terrestrial imagination of a celestial paradise, utilizing natural elements native to Virginia in conjunction with nods to the cosmic and sublime. Featuring Christmas trees adorned with over 20,000 lights and magnolia and evergreen garlands sprinkled with touches of silver and gold, Virginia’s Executive Mansion is sure to shine this holiday season.

There are plenty of opportunities to take in #homehistory and Mansion magic this December! Learn more about our holiday tour offerings in the holiday section of our website.

November is Native American Heritage Month in the Commonwealth, recognizing our nation’s very first #homehistory makers.

Ethan Brown, member of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and resident of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William, Virginia, views his art as a vessel for storytelling. On display at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, Brown’s piece “Wetlands” allows both the artist and viewer to examine the history of Native communities and forge connections between the past and present.

The Governor and First Lady will be in the stands as the University of Virginia Cavaliers take on the Southern Methodist University Mustangs – a special matchup for Virginia’s first family with the First Lady’s SMU roots and UVA’s place as one of Virginia’s top universities!

Captured in Edward Thomas’ painting of Fayerweather Hall, the Jeffersonian architecture of UVA’s grounds have garnered national acclaim throughout #homehistory. The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion includes several nods to UVA and other iconic Virginia institutions. Plan your visit to view “Celebrating the Commonwealth” in person or explore online in the Art Experience section of our website.

Recognized in November, Virginia Oyster Month shell-ebrates the Commonwealth’s past, present and future connections to these multifaceted mollusks. A literal foundation for #homehistory, oyster shells were used in building construction at Jamestown and served as a vital food source for early North American settlers.

Today, aquaculture experts like Rappahannock Oyster Company work to maintain Virginia’s status as the #1 oyster producer on the East Coast, prioritizing sustainability to ensure the Commonwealth has access to delicious oysters for generations to come. Thank you to Travis and the team at Rappahannock Oyster Company for helping us kick off oyster season this fall!

During Veterans and Military Families Month, we are reminded of the boundless and diverse ways Virginia’s veterans make #homehistory contributing to our Commonwealth. On display throughout November, this artwork was created by veterans living with dementia at The Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center (SBVCC) in Richmond, Virginia.

SBVCC’s Opening Minds Through Art Program is one of many programs and resources available to veterans around the Commonwealth. Launched this week, the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) is an online tool linking hundreds of organizations like SBVCC in one platform, ensuring that veterans and their families receive the best resources. Click here to register or learn more.

The United States Marine Corps celebrated its 249th birthday this week! Since 1775, the United States Continental Marines have been making #homehistory serving our country with the utmost courage. Virginia is home to more than 26,000 Marines and their families who serve under the motto “Semper Fidelis,” meaning always faithful.

Created by Smokey Stovall, World War II dive bomber pilot and one of the Marines depicted in last week’s featured “Wartime Brides,” this wood carving titled “Semper Fly” represents the Marine Corps’ unwavering commitment to the United States and fellow Marines.

Visit the Executive Mansion in person or click here to learn more about the 75+ works featured in the Art Experience.

Observed in November, National Veterans and Military Families Month honors the brave individuals who have served in our country’s armed forces and recognizes the sacrifices and contributions military families have made throughout #homehistory.

On display at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, this painting by Wallace May captures Virginia artist Smokey Stovall and fellow Marines in Lynchburg, VA with their sweethearts who they married while briefly home on leave. These “Wartime Brides” symbolize the resilience of military spouses, who face uncertainty with courage and love.

In late October 1824, Major General Marquis de Lafayette stopped at Virginia’s Executive Mansion during his #homehistory-making U.S. farewell tour. To mark the anniversary, The Governor and The First Lady welcomed historic interpreter, Mark Schnieder, who honors Lafayette’s life by educating new generations on his legacy.

With the help of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission and the American Friends of Lafayette, celebrations commemorating the occasion are taking place across the Commonwealth through February. Learn more at the Virginia 250 website.

In a toast to Virginia Wine Month and the Commonwealth’s deep-rooted #homehistory and bright future in the burgeoning wine industry, the Art Experience at the Executive Mansion includes Sarah Gayle Carter’s captivating portrayal of Ecco Adesso Winery in Fairfield, Virginia.

Richmond artist and educator Diego Sanchez returns to Virginia’s Executive Mansion! Featured last year for Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, Diego’s work is now part of the Art Experience’s “Celebrating the Commonwealth” exhibition.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Diego studied at VCU and made #homehistory as the first Theresa Pollak Prize recipient. See his triptych “Composition #61” and more in The Art Experience section!

Hispanic and Latino heritage shines in The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion! Celebrated in Bolivia, Carnaval de Oruro is a religious and cultural festival that dates back to the 18th century. Today, the festival reflects the blend of pagan and Catholic practices in the region, featuring a stunning multi-day parade.

But photographer Lloyd Wolf didn’t have to buy a plane ticket to capture this image: Held in Shirlington, Virginia, this Carnaval de Oruro-inspired parade honored the 2,000+ year old #homehistory of this Bolivian tradition.

Photo courtesy of The Library of Virginia.

The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion celebrates the #homehistory and Hispanic heritage of featured artist Andre Lucero! Originally from Spain, Andre’s ancestors traveled to present day New Mexico in the 1600s, and according to family legend, artistry may be the reason the first Lucero, a skilled map maker, made it to the ‘new world.’

Today, Andre continues this legacy, creating works like “Joyful Moments” near Richmond and showcasing his art in several East Coast galleries. Click to learn more about Andre and other featured artists!

Established in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates our nation’s rich #homehistory of hunting and angling and recognizes the conservation efforts of those who participate.

Lauded as one of the Commonwealth’s premier fly-fishing destinations, The Jackson River is an excellent place to catch smallmouth bass, rock bass, rainbow trout and more and is the subject of plein-air artist Joseph Burrough’s painting, “The Gentle Jackson.”

View this and 75+ works made by and for Virginians in person or online through the Art Experience at the Executive Mansion!

The Executive Mansion is commemorating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Commonwealth by celebrating the #homehistory -making, masterful works of Virginia artists featured in the Art Experience!

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Glenn Alphonso Cavedo moved to Richmond with his family before 1930. After serving in World War II, working at his mother’s beauty shop, and following his father’s path into home construction, Cavedo pursued oil painting, focusing on Virginia landscapes and landmarks as depicted here in “Richmond Towne Old Canal.”

Click to plan your visit or view the Art Experience’s third installation, “Celebrating the Commonwealth.”

The Executive Mansion honors the memory of former First Lady Roxane Gilmore, a champion of #homehistory and historic preservation. Mrs. Gilmore’s dedication to restoring this stately home has ensured that future generations can appreciate its timeless beauty and rich heritage, leaving a legacy for centuries to come.

Virginia is revving up for NASCAR this weekend at the Richmond Raceway! Celebrate the excitement with Richmond artist Kirsten Kindler’s “Hubcap Charm III” currently on display at Virginia’s Executive Mansion and check out the NEW Sisterhood Spotlight on Lori Collier Waran who made #homehistory as Richmond Raceway’s first female track President. 

Celebrating Virginia Farmer’s Market Week through art in the Executive Mansion. Check out Susan M. Stuller’s “Market Day” — a reminder of Virginia’s, agrarian #homehistory. Learn more and view current and past installations by clicking on the Art Experience tab.

“Baseball” by Pierre Daura highlights ‘America’s Favorite Pastime’ and is aptly on display at the Executive Mansion as part of the Art Experience’s current installation, “Do What You Love in Virginia.” The Commonwealth is home to nine minor-league baseball teams alone! The First Lady and Governor Youngkin had a ball celebrating our baseball #homehistory by cheering on the Tri-City Chili Peppers earlier this month. There is still time to view “Baseball” and other Daura works featured in “Do What You Love in Virginia!” Plan your visit to Virginia's Executive Mansion today.

Arthur Ashe, born in Richmond on July 10, 1943, was a familiar face at the Executive Mansion, warmly welcomed by Governors Baliles, Holton, and Wilder.

Esteemed as both a tennis prizewinner and a champion of civil rights, Ashe made #homehistory as the first black man to win singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

Following his premature passing, Ashe laid in repose in the downstairs ballroom of the Mansion, drawing crowds of thousands of Virginians who came to bid their farewells. Three years later, Ashe's legacy was further honored with the unveiling of his statue on Monument Avenue, only a short drive from the very Mansion he had frequented.

As we approach Independence Day, we reflect on the vital relationship between General Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington. Appointed by the first president as a Major General in the American Revolution, Lafayette's strategic partnership with Washington evolved into a #homehistory making bond that was crucial for our nation's independence. They shared a deep admiration and developed a father-son dynamic that lasted beyond the war. This lithograph, hanging next to the Executive Mansion’s ‘Lafayette Bedroom,’ captures their emotional and final 1784 farewell at Mount Vernon, originally published in Harry T. Peters’ “America on Stone.”

Celebrated nationally each July, Clean Beaches Week underscores the importance of keeping our beaches free of litter and plastic pollution.

Adorning the Executive Mansion ballroom, “Beach Scene” by Robert Thomas Barbee depicts a familiar scene at the seaside. Barbee, who joined UVA's painting faculty in the 1950s, made #homehistory with this coastal vista painted during his time in the Commonwealth.

With over 25 beaches in Virginia, be sure to visit one of our local treasures and do your part in preserving our community coastlines!

It’s Agriculture Week in Virginia! As the Commonwealth’s largest private industry, agriculture is vital to Virginia’s #homehistory. “The Chicken House,” painted by Spanish-Virginian artist Pierre Daura, depicts a neighborhood chicken coop and artfully captures the beauty of the Commonwealth’s rural landscapes. As a resident of Rockbridge Baths near Lexington, Virginia, Daura’s fascination with documenting Virginian farmland shines through the strong regional focus in his artwork. Visit the Executive Mansion this summer to view “The Chicken House” and other Daura works in person or learn more by clicking the ‘Art Experience’ tab.

Recognized in June, Great Outdoors Month in the Commonwealth celebrates Virginia’s extensive and growing outdoor recreation industry.

Experiencing record attendance levels last year, Virginia is home to 42 beautiful state parks. Among these is Natural Bridge, once referred to by Thomas Jefferson as “the most sublime of nature’s works.” Depicted by Sallie Aubrey Wise in her 1887 painting- recently restored by The Library of Virginia and available to view through the Art Experience- Natural Bridge has remained one of the Commonwealth’s most popular attractions throughout #homehistory and into today.

Plan your visit to the Executive Mansion and learn more in the Art Experience section!

Beginning in 1853 in Upperville, Virginia, The Upperville Colt & Horse Show is the oldest horse show in our nation’s #homehistory, featuring the country’s top ranked hunters and jumpers. Having competed for numerous years on the Hunter-Jumper circuit along the east coast, artist Sharon Lynn Campbell is no stranger to the equestrian world. Capturing the beauty of the yearly event with stunning familiarity, Campbell’s painting “The Upperville Gallop” hangs in the ballroom of Virginia’s Executive Mansion and depicts last year’s Upperville Jumper Classic winner McLain Ward. The Governor and First Lady were honored to meet Ward following his big win in 2023 and have a profound appreciation for Virginia’s various equine industries. Learn more about Campbell's art in the Art Experience section.

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail is a 330 mile driving trail through the mountains of Southwest Virginia highlighting the Commonwealth’s rich musical #homehistory. Connecting nine major venues and over 60 affiliated venues across nineteen counties, four cities and over fifty towns, The Crooked Road has increased national recognition for the region’s cultural impact and is celebrated in the Art Experience at the Executive Mansion. Artist-in-residence for The Crooked Road, Andrew Small captivates audiences with a sound that is undeniably emblematic of the heart of the region alongside partner Ashlee Watkins. In addition to their many accolades as a duo, Andrew and Ashlee recently performed for the Governor, First Lady and former Virginia governors and their partners at the Executive Mansion, enhancing the atmosphere of an already festive evening.

The Art Experience embraces cultural diversity this Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and year round! Norfolk artist and gallery manager, Vinnie Bumatay, made #homehistory designing the poster for the 2015 Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. On display in the Old Governor’s Office at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, Bumatay’s poster, “Diversity,” celebrates the excitingly vast collection of events and people that make up the now 50-year-old tradition.

In her “Twelve Views of Virginia Series” Miwako Nishizawa captures some of our Commonwealth’s most renowned landmarks and regions through techniques that are reflective of her Japanese #homehistory. Three of Nishizawa’s “Twelve Views of Virginia” depicting Jamestown, Skyline Drive, and Cape Henry are currently on display at the Executive Mansion through the Art Experience and in partnership with The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, representing the Commonwealth’s diverse geographies, people and perspectives. Learn more about the work of Nishizawa in the Art Experience section and join us this AAPI Heritage Month as we celebrate the creativity and contributions of Virginia's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities! 

#homehistory experts and passionate stewards of Virginia’s home, the docent team at Virginia’s Executive Mansion is a cohort of dedicated volunteers who strive to educate and inspire all who visit. We are incredibly grateful for their ardent service this Virginia Volunteer Week and year-round! 
 
Interested in joining our docent team? Email us at executivemansion@governor.virginia.gov to learn more.