Sutherlin Mansion - Danville, Virginia
N 36° 34.867 W 079° 24.019
17S E 643115 N 4049596
The Sutherlin Mansion in Danville, Virginia is also known as "The Last Capitol of the Confederacy."
Waymark Code: WM2X56
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/03/2008
Views: 136
William Thomas Sutherlin was born in 1822 on his father's farm about two miles from Danville and died in 1893. During his life he became very wealthy and built this grand mansion that stands on what was known as Danville’s Millionaires Row. For one week in April 1865 this home became the “Last Capitol of the Confederate States of America.”
In April 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet were forced to leave Richmond due the advancing Union Forces under the command of General U. S. Grant. On April 3, 1865, President Davis and members of his cabinet arrived in Danville and President Davis took up residence at the home of Major William Sutherlin who was the wartime quartermaster for Danville.
President Davis was given a rear bedroom on the mansion’s second floor. He was given the bedroom in the rear of the home in case he needed to make a hasty escape due to advancing Union Troops. From April 3 – 10, 1865 President Davis occupied the Sutherlin Home and on April 4 wrote and delivered his final proclamation and met for the last time with his full cabinet (with the exception of Secretary of war General Breckenridge.)
When word of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender reached President Davis in Danville on April 10, 1865, he decided to leave Danville and flee further south. President Davis fled first to Greensboro, North Carolina and was attempting to make his way to Mississippi. But on May 10, 1865, President Jefferson Davis was captured near Irwinville, Georgia.
Due to the documented events that occurred in the Sutherlin Mansion during the week of April 3-10, 1865, Danville and has become known as the Last Capitol of the Confederacy.”
Today the Sutherlin Mansion is home to the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. The museum contains original period furnishing as well as changing exhibits of local artists and exhibits from other museums. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Source/Credit: The Danville Museum of Art and History
Type of site: Historic Home
Address:
975 Main Street
Danville, Va United States
24541
Phone Number: 434-799-6145
Admission Charged: More than $5
Website: [Web Link]
Driving Directions:
From the North (Lynchburg)
Take US 29 South. Continue onto VA 86 South. Take the US 29/West Main Street ramp.
Turn Left onto US 29 North/West Main Street. At the top of the ramp turn left onto
West Main Street. West Main Street will become Main Street. Travel approximately .25 mile (.5 mile including West Main); the museum will be on your right.
From the East (South Boston)
Take US 58/360 West. US 58/360 West will become South Boston Road. South Boston Road will become River Street. Turn Left on Main Street (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge). Travel approximately 1 mile, the museum will be on your left.
From the South (Greensboro)
Take US 29 North. Take the VA 86 ramp toward Danville/Yanceyville. Take the ramp toward Danville. Turn Left onto VA 86 N/South Main Street. South Main Street will become Central Boulevard. Take the West Main Street ramp. At the top of the ramp turn left ontoWest Main Street. West Main Street will become Main Street. Travel approximately .25 mile, the museum will be on your right. The Museum is located at the top of Main Street hill between 1st Presbyterian Church and the Main Street Exxon station. Parking is in the rear of the building and can be accessed by turning down either Sutherlin or Holbrook Avenue.
From the West (Martinsville)
Take US 58 East. Take the US 29/VA-86 South ramp toward Downtown/Greensboro. Take the US 29/West Main Street ramp. At the top of the ramp turn left onto West Main Street.West Main Street will become Main Street. Travel approximately .25 mile (.5 mile including West Main); the museum will be on your right.
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