The Valentine: Celebrating 125 Years
Collecting, Preserving & Interpreting Richmond's History
Bill Martin has served as director of the Valentine for 30 years, leading the museum through many changes and conversations about history. This year, as the Valentine celebrates 125 years of educating Richmonders about the history of their city, William “Bill” Martin, Valentine director, celebrates 30 years at the museum, initiating honest conversations, embracing change, and leading a staff of 50 as they expand and diversify museum programs.
“The focus from the very beginning has been how do we reach the broadest audience? How do we have the most people engaged in discussions and learning about Richmond’s history?” asks Bill, who holds a BA in urban studies and an MA in public administration from Virginia Tech. He began in the role of marketing and public relations director at the Valentine in 1994 after directing museums in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. “With the help of our community partners like TowneBank, we are trying to make the most of the historic assets in the city, whether it’s our neighborhoods, distinct stories about individuals, or the amazing organizations that have changed Richmond,” says Bill. “We want to make sure that those people and entities are chronicled, and those histories preserved. It’s just an incredible privilege to do this work. Our staff is always thinking of new ways that we can engage this generation in understanding its history.”
The Valentine opened in 1898, the first private museum in Richmond. Mann S. Valentine II, a wealthy Richmond businessman, left a bequest, his personal collection of art and artifacts, and the 1812 Wickham House, which became the foundation for the Valentine. Edward Valentine, Mann’s brother and a renowned sculptor, served as the first president of the museum. Upon his death, he left a large assortment of sculpture, furniture, and memorabilia to the museum that still bears the family name.
The Valentine offers a variety of programs for students throughout the Richmond area.
Today, the Valentine has a vast collection of 1.6 million objects – paintings, sculpture, costumes, textiles and historical photographs of Richmond. Located in the heart of downtown, just two blocks from the state capitol, the museum offers a broad range of exhibits and educational programs as well as walking tours for adults and schoolchildren.“Students are really responding to the walking tours,” says Bill. “Our kids have been behind the screen for so long and we know that a child’s learning style does not always respond to online learning or even textbook learning. When you can be in a place where history happened, you experience the power of place. I’m pleased to report that no Richmond Public Schools student has paid for a program at the Valentine since 1902, and that is because of the generosity of companies like TowneBank.”Bill is quick to point out that the museum has evolved, grown, and changed to reflect the needs of the community. “One of the things that is important about us is that we have continually changed the way we work. We have adapted and responded to the needs of the community in ways that I think are unusual for a museum.”
A great example is the Valentine’s response to the 2020 racial protests that prompted the dismantling of Confederate statues on Monument Avenue. That year, the Valentine closed the Edward Valentine Sculpture Studio in the museum’s garden and spent three years working with the community to determine how the space should serve the needs of Richmond and beyond.
They conducted surveys, held focus groups, and initiated difficult conversations that reflected the desire to explore myths surrounding the Civil War, racial oppression, power, and public art.“We just opened an exhibition in January that is challenging everyone,” explains Bill. “It’s called Sculpting History: Art, Power and the Lost Cause American Myth. These discussions have been extremely difficult for many in our city, but they are important to have.” 
TowneBank senior vice president and commercial banker Shareema Williams (far right) serves on The Valentine board and attended the 125th anniversary with board members Tracy Kemp Stallings and Elaine Ryan.
“That’s why we value having a partner like TowneBank who is truly engaged in our mission; who recognizes that we’re doing this work in the community to help us not only understand the city’s past, but also figure out how we can change and be a catalyst for creating a better city in the future.”
Bill says that in addition to providing banking and loan services, TowneBank has made a generous gift to the Valentine’s recent capital campaign and this year sponsored the 19th Annual Richmond History Makers event as part of the Valentine’s anniversary celebrations.
In addition, since opening its downtown Richmond office in fall of 2016, TowneBank has had a representative serve on the Valentine board of directors. “Our Commercial Banker, Shareema Williams, is on our board now and she’s remarkable,” says Bill.
Shareema was appointed to the Valentine board in summer 2023. She explains, “Not being a Richmond native, but deciding to settle here to raise my family, I was intrigued by the museum’s focus on collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond’s history, culture, and diverse communities. I had my first introduction to the Valentine during their Richmond History Maker’s series and was so impressed by the progressiveness of the organization’s mission and its commitment to balancing history while also looking forward.”
Regarding Bill’s tenure, Shareema shares, “Bill is widely admired and credited with modernizing the museum’s operations, increasing its visibility, and fostering collaborations with other cultural institutions. His legacy continues to influence the museum’s direction and impact on the community. As the longest-standing museum director in Richmond, his tenacity and vivacious spirit are the perfect mix needed to propel the Valentine forward.”
Bill concludes, “The most exciting part of this job is that every day you discover something new. I will walk over to our staff today, and there’ll be something weird on the table, something that I’ve never seen before – some story that I’ve never heard that has just come in. That kind of gets you up in the morning.”
For more information, visit TheValentine.org.