40 Years Ago The Confederate Museum Opened

 In Four Decades, Records Show That Many More Northerners Than Southerners Have Paid Homage at This Shrine of Shrines

By Ross Wells

Down from the North--the feet of thousands of pilgrims have worn a well-defined path to the White House of the Confederacy.

Up from the South--scarcely a twig has been broken or a blade bent in the trek to this greatest of all Southern shines as compared with the flow from Yankee-land.

This "Believe It or Not" condition has been observed casually through the years, but it remained for the close scrutiny of the register, made for the observance of the fortieth anniversary of the dedication of the Confederate Museum by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, custodian of the historic building and collection, which occurs next Saturday, to reveal in all its startling clarity the fact that of the average 13,000 visitors annually to the Clay and 12th Street building, a large majority come from north of the Mason and Dixon line.

Just 40 years ago next Saturday, to the day--Saturday, February 22, 1896--at 2:45 o'clock in the afternoon the formal exercises of dedication begain in an almost empty house. The windows were curtained with flags and the white of the walls was only trespassed upon by large portraits of Stonewall Jackson, Johnston and Jefferson Davis. The Governor, Colonel Charles T. O'Ferrall, and his staff took position on the platform, the Rev Moses D. Hoge, D. D., offered the opening prayer and the oration was by General Bradley T. Johnson, C.S.A.

After the formal exercises the reception committee extended a cordial welcome to visitors in the main and center room on the first floor. Refreshments were served in the east room, now the Virginia room. Members of the reception committee are remembered today as Mrs. Joseph Bryan, Mrs. E. D. Hotchkiss, Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson, Mrs. E. C. Minor, Mrs. James R. Werth, Mrs. Raleigh Colston, Mrs. Ann E. Grant, Miss May Boughman, Mrs. J. B. Lightfoot, Mrs. Hunter McGuire, Mrs. Frank Crump, Mrs. M. S. Smith and Mrs. L. C. Daniel.

Early Officers and Advisory Board

The advisory board in the initial and important year of the museum's history included Joseph Bryan, Robert Bosher, Judge George L. Christian, Colonel W. G. Cutshaw, Colonel John B. Cary, J. Taylor Ellyson, E. D. Hotchkiss, Colonel William Gordon McCabe, Judge E. C. Minor, B. B. Munford and Colonel John B. Purcell. How well these eleven guided the first steps of the infant project is attested to by the growth and popularity of the museum during those twoscore years that have elapsed since that eventful day.

First officers of the Confederate Museum, as listed on the society's roster, included: President Mrs. Joseph Bryan, First Vice President Mrs. E. C. Minor, Second Vice-President Mrs. Raleigh Colston, Third Vice-President Mrs. James H. Grant, Honorable Vice-President Mrs. E. E. Hotchkiss, Recording Secretary Mrs. Stephen Putney, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Lizzie Cary Daniel, Treasurer Mrs. M. S. Smith.

Vice-regents of rooms--Alabama, Mrs. James H. Drake; Arkansas, Mrs. Decater Axtell; Florida, Mrs. R. A. Patterson; Georgia, Mrs. J. Prosser Harrison; Kentucky, Miss Mattie P. Harris; Louisiana, Mrs. William C. Bentley; Maryland, Mrs. C. O B. Cowardin; Mississippi, Mrs. R. N. Northern; Missouri, Mrs. George P. Stacy; North Carolina, Mrs. E. T. Brodnax; South Carolina, Mrs. W. P. DeSaussure; Tennessee, Mrs. Norman V. Randoph; Texas, Mrs. Cazneau McCloud; Virginia, Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson; Solid South, Miss Mary Greer Baughman.

Relic Committee--Mrs. James R. Werth, Mrs. Lucy Maury Van Doran and Mrs. J. Enders Robinson.

History of the Museum Building

The Confederate Museum, "White House of the Confederacy," was erected in the early days of Richmond in a section which was then the most fashionable part of the city, and was considered one of the most handsome residences of that time. It was built by Dr. John Brockenbrough around 1817-18. When the builder retired to Warm Springs, of which he was proprietor, he sold his Richmond home to James M. Morson. Mr. Morson added the third story, stuccoed the house and among the other improvements added the beautiful Carrara marble mantels. When he retired he disposed of the property to his law partner, James A. Seddon. The new owner had been a member of Congress from Virginia and a representative of Virginia in the Peace Congress held January 19, 1961, in Washington, and later became secretary of war of the Confederate States. A few years before the war Mr. Seddon removed to Sabot Hill and the residence again changed hands, Lewis D. Crenshaw becoming the owner. He sold the property to the City of Richmond for 35,000. The city furnished it to the extent of $8,000 and tendered it to President Jefferson Davis when the capital was removed to this city. Mr. Davis declined to accept it and only consented to occupy it on the condition that full rent be paid. This was done by the Confederate Government on June 10, 1861.

President Davis lived there with his family, using the house both in a private and official capacity. The present "Mississippi" room was his study. In this house amid the cares of state, joy and sorrow visited him--"Winnie," the cherished daughter, was born there, and "Little Joe" died there from the effects of injuries received from a fall off the east porch. It remained Mr. Davis' home until the evacuation of the city. He left with the government officials on the night of April 2, 1865.

On the morning of April 3, 1865, General Godrey Weitzel, in command of the Federal troops, upon entering the city, made this house his headquarters. It was thus occupied by the United States Government during the five years Virginia was under military rule, and called "District No. 1."

In the present "Georgia" room a day or two after the evacuation, President Lincoln was received. He was in the city only a few hours.

When at last the military was removed and the house was vacated, the city at once took possession, using it as a public school for more than 20 years.

War had left its impress on the building, and the constant tread of the little feet did almost as much damage. It was with great distress that the people (particularly the women) saw the "White House of the Confederacy" put to such uses, and rapidly falling into decay.

To save it from destruction, a mass meeting was called to take steps for its restoration. A society was formed, called the "Confederate Memorial Literary Society," whose aim was the preservation of the mansion. Its first act was to petition the city to place it in its hands, to be used as a memorial to President Davis and the museum of those never-to-be-forgotten days, '61-'65.

It was amazing to see the widespread enthusiasm aroused by the plan. With as little delay as possible the city, acting through the Aldermen and Council, made the deed of conveyance which was ratified by the then Mayor of Richmond, the Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson. But there were still legal points to be considered, another site to be chosen and a schoolhouse built, before they could give possession. It was, however, formally turned over to the society in 1890, and accepted for it by its chairman, Colonel John B. Cary of this city.

The dilapidation of the entire property was extreme, but to its restoration and preservation the society had pledged itself. It had no money--the city had already given its part--what could be done?

To raise the needed funds, it was decided to hold a "memorial bazaar" in Richmond for the joint benefit of the museum and the monument to the Private Soldier and Sailor.

South Indorses Plan; $31,000 Raised

All through the South the plan of the museum and the bazaar was heartily indorsed; so that donations of every kind poured in. Each State of the Confederacy was represented by a booth, with the name, shield and flag of her State. Half of this was given to complete the monument to the Private Soldier and Sailor, now standing on Libby Hill, and the other half went to the museum.

The partition walls were already of brick and the whole house had been strongly and well built, but the entire building was now made fire-proof, and every other possible precaution taken for its safety. In every particular, the old house in its entirety was preserved, the woodwork (replaced by iron) being used for souvenirs.

Rapidly the memorials were gathered from each local State and placed in their several rooms. From start to finish, the whole work has been a free-will offering to the beloved cause.

The treasury had been nearly exhausted by the restoration of the building. The current expenses were met only by the strictest economy and largely carried on by faith. Nothing has been bought in the whole museum, except in the case of the "Conrad Wise Chapman pictures," which show the wonderful defense of Charleston, and the "William L. Sheppard pictures," giving in detail the life of the "Confederate Soldier." Their purchase was made possible by the liberality of friends throughout the South who prized their historic importance as well as their artistic merit. Each is the work of an eyewitness in the scenes they depict.

In the past 40 years much has been accomplished. The museum is free from debt, and is now widely known. To aid in making the society a self-perpetuating body, it established an endowment fund to put this work on a firm basis. All bequests to the museum should be made to the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, in charge of the Confederate Museum.

It would be quite impossible to enumerate all the articles of interest to be found here. The memorials gathered are not only interesting in themselves, but invaluable for the truth and lessons which they teach.

"We have already on our 'roll of honor' 342 volumes, all bound, with 56,406 certified records of our heroes. A large number of the personal papers of the Hon. Jefferson Davis are in our keeping. The catalogue will tell of other important articles," says Miss Susan B. Harrison, house regent.

"Historians in search of information can here obtain orginal data pertaining to this period. The United States Government has already made use of our records."

Open House All Day on Anniversary Date

Next Saturday the Confederate Museum will hold open house all day in commemoration of its 40th anniversary. The wealth of treasure that has been intrusted to its keeping in these four decades is on display in all its glory.

Many pieces of furniture used by the Davis family while it occupied the presidential mansion are now on exhibit. The bathrobe in which David died and a wreath from his casket also attract considerable attention.

Scores of shell-torn flags adorn the walls. One that never fails to draw attention is the unsurrendered banner which flew from the mast of the privateer Shenandoah.

One of the interesting relics is a doll in whose hollow body morphine and quinine were smuggled through the lines to aid the Confederate wounded. A bar of soap in which a secret message sent from England to Judah P. Benjamin, the Confederate secretary of state, is another of these inanimate aids to the doomed cause on exhibition.

A shawl worn by Walter W. Gosden, father of the Richmond member of the "Amos and Andy" team, is now carefully pointed out to all visitors by the museum guide.

Several mementoes of Libby Prison are on exhibit, including keys, a section of the floor in which a carved checkerboard and a door bearing the names of scores of the prisoners.

Among the most treasured of the sacred relics in the museum are, of course, Lee's parole, considered he most valuable; the original provisional constitution of the Confederate States of America, the original great seal of the Confederacy, the treasury plates and seal from which Confederate money was printed.

Each Confederate State is represented here with a room in which is set apart those relics of its respective heroes. The State collections are provided through resident regents in each State who are expected to collect materials and funds. A vice-regent is named for each room, being a resident of Richmond, although as far as possible a native of the respective State, so that she can give her personal supervision to this great work of love. The regent of the Solid South room is picked from the United States at large.

It is to be hoped that the next decade, rounding out a full half century of service in preserving and endearing the mementoes and truths of the South's darkest years, will show a more nearly balanced register--South and North--when that golden anniversary rolls around.