Maymont Mansion reopens after two-year preservation project

After nearly two years closed for preservation work, Maymont Mansion is set to reopen to the public, with a free open house and garden party scheduled for Saturday, March 21st, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event marks the completion of a major renovation effort tied to the broader Maymont 2025 initiative.

The 33-room, 1893 mansion will reopen for regular self-guided and guided tours beginning Sunday, March 22nd, operating Thursdays through Sundays. The reopening also coincides with Maymont’s 100th anniversary as a public space, having opened to visitors in 1926.

According to Maymont Foundation, the project focused on long-term preservation rather than cosmetic upgrades. Work included installing a new red slate roof designed to match architect Edgerton Rogers’ original plans, along with modern climate control and fire suppression systems intended to better protect the mansion’s historic interiors and collections. Artworks and furnishings were removed and stored off-site during construction, while conservators addressed selected restoration projects, including work in the Swan Bedroom and the conservation of a painting that has not been displayed publicly in decades.

Foundation officials say the project reached its $12 million fundraising goal, which they describe as the largest single preservation investment in Maymont’s history. While the organization emphasizes improved visitor experience, many of the upgrades are largely behind-the-scenes infrastructure work that visitors may not immediately notice but that aligns with current standards for historic preservation.

The March 21st event will allow visitors to tour the mansion’s main-level formal rooms, where original owners James and Sallie Dooley once entertained Richmond’s social elite. Guided tours will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Outdoor programming on the mansion lawn includes live music, Jazz Age dance demonstrations, lawn games, and food trucks. Members of the Art Deco Society of Virginia and the Richmond Region Antique Car Club are also scheduled to participate.

Several local history-focused organizations, including the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Library of Virginia, and Historic Richmond, will host informational tables during the event. Activities will be centered near the Hampton Street entrance, though the rest of the 100-acre estate will remain open to the public, excluding the Virginia Wildlife Trail, which is scheduled to reopen April 18th.

A ticketed preview event, the Maymont Mansion Champagne Toast, will take place Friday, March 20th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets include access to the full mansion and a beverage, with proceeds supporting ongoing preservation and operations. Advance reservations are required through Maymont’s website.

Maymont officials say additional centennial events are planned throughout the year, including a large-scale celebration in June.