The Wise guide to historic places in Virginia, 1607-1907 . ost accomplished man in America. He own-ed the finest library on the continent and Richmond fromthe beginning was peopled with master intellects and inrefinement and culture has lived up to the example ofher founder. The State Capitol at Richmond, was begun in 1779,here are preserved as relics—the Old Speakers Chair anda stove from the House of Burgessess in Williamvsburg. Thomas Jefferson dedicated a plot of land in Richmondupon which a building was to be erected and know^n asthe American Academy of Letters. This Academy was tobe to t
The Wise guide to historic places in Virginia, 1607-1907 . ost accomplished man in America. He own-ed the finest library on the continent and Richmond fromthe beginning was peopled with master intellects and inrefinement and culture has lived up to the example ofher founder. The State Capitol at Richmond, was begun in 1779,here are preserved as relics—the Old Speakers Chair anda stove from the House of Burgessess in Williamvsburg. Thomas Jefferson dedicated a plot of land in Richmondupon which a building was to be erected and know^n asthe American Academy of Letters. This Academy was tobe to the new nation of America, what the Paris Academyor Arts is to the French. The Academy was soon burned,and then rebuilt. On an occasion when the Governor ofVirginia, his staff, officials, society, the beauty and gentryof the countryside and distant plantations had gatheredas a brilliant assemblage to witness the first night produc-tion of a new^ play, the Academy again caught fire and Avasquickly burned with such disastrous effects that the Cov- L 0; mi. OLD liKlAj TOWKU. ernor and many prominent people were nnmbered amon^the victims of the holocanst. The remains of the deadwere bnried npon the spot, and to commemorate one ofthe saddest events of that day, the present MonumentalChurch was erected on the site of the Academy, divine ser-vices are regularlj^ held above the grave possessed in com-mon by the dust of beauty, aristocracy and sturdy yeom-anry. For years the church had a rector whose visage,features and mien so resembled the unhappy J. WilkesBooth that rumor and morbid speculation proclaimed himto be indeed the great actor assassin of Lincoln. Weirdtales were recounted in secret how he escaped his pursur-ers and donning the ministerial garb, devoted the remain-der of his life to deeds of mercy. And those who sat un-der the matchless eloquence were enthralled by his ora-tory. His advent and antecedents before coming to Rich-mond remain a mystery. He is said to have been
Size: 1440px × 1734px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidwiseguidetohisto00wise
