WHEREAS, the Valentine, formerly known as the Valentine Museum, a distinguished cultural institution dedicated to collecting and sharing stories focused on the history and culture of the Richmond region, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2023; and

WHEREAS, the Valentine traces its origins to Mann S. Valentine II, who built his fortune selling Valentine's Meat Juice, a health tonic made from pure beef juice, and used his wealth to assemble a large collection or art, archival, ethnographic, and historical objects that he displayed in his home, the Wickham House, near the intersection of 11th Street and Clay Street in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, upon his death in 1892, Mann Valentine bequeathed his collection, the Wickham House, and an endowment of $50,000 to provide the foundations for the establishment of a public museum, which ultimately opened in 1898; and

WHEREAS, since its founding, the Valentine has evolved from a general art and history museum into an institution focused on the life and history of the Richmond region; and

WHEREAS, today, the main campus of the Valentine includes permanent and rotating exhibitions, the historic Wickham House, the Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio, and an exquisite garden for the enjoyment of visitors; and

WHEREAS, in addition to its main campus, the Valentine First Freedom Center, located in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of Richmond on the same corner where the General Assembly passed the Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786, provides a space where visitors can explore the past, present, and future of religious freedom in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the leaders and staff of the Valentine today are guided by the organization's mission to engage, educate, and challenge a diverse audience by collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond's history; and

WHEREAS, through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the Valentine addresses the broad issues that define the history of the Richmond region and gives a voice to the diverse communities that call the city home; and

WHEREAS, every year, the Valentine provides educational programs that engage more than 14,000 students and teachers, while also offering compelling experiences for visitors of all ages by supporting community conversations, walking tours, group visits, and more; and

WHEREAS, as a shared place where those who visit Richmond may pursue a deeper understanding of the city's history and culture, the Valentine fosters opportunities to engage in honest and meaningful conversations about a variety of challenging issues; and

WHEREAS, through stellar leadership and the tireless efforts of its staff, the Valentine has realized its vision to be recognized as the premier source for experiencing Richmond's history and as a place where the past has the power to inform the present and shape the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Valentine hereby be commended on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William J. Martin, museum director of the Valentine, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the museum's history and its contributions to Richmond and the Commonwealth.