Estate Crossroads

Estate Crossroads. . , At this crossroads, the natural beauty of the landscape and several roadways of the estate intersect. The nearby stream is called Dooley Branch, named for James and Sallie Dooley who purchased the 100-acre property in 1886 and transformed it into a showplace estate. The hilly, fall-line terrain provided a perfect backdrop for the gardens, architecture and plantings added by the couple. The nearby bridges constructed of river rock date to the Dooleys' time., At the top of the steep hill to your left is Magnolia Drive, the formal entrance road to the Dooleys' home. It leads to the Maymont Mansion, the Italian Garden, and other surviving buildings and features of the historic estate. The original carriage road in front of you follows Dooley Branch through the wildlife habitats and ends at the Japanese Garden. The forty-acre area north of Dooley Branch was maintained by the Dooleys as a naturalistic parkland. It now includes the Nature Center to your right as well as a Farm., [Caption:] , (Left) Maymont first opened to the public in 1926. These young ladies pause near Dooley Branch in 1928., Arboretum , James and Sallie Dooley imported trees and plants from around the world for their estate, creating what is now one of the country's notable arboretums. Native Virginia species also abound here and include many examples that are noteworthy for their size and beauty. Today, you will find more than 300 native and exotic specimens within Maymont's 100 acres. Look for these special trees close by: ,

Darlington Oak (Quercus hemisphaerica). This impressive ornamental oak straight ahead on the left is a National Champion tree, the largest of its kind in the United States., Princeton American Elm (Ulmus Americana 'Princeton'). A row of this hardy cultivar was planted by the Garden Club of Virginia along Magnolia Drive at the top of the hill to your left. Those trees replaced the original allée of elms that were decimated by Dutch elm disease in the 20th century., Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). The magnificent tree on the knoll to the left probably pre-dates the Dooleys' ownership of the property., Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) This deciduous conifer, seen straight ahead in front of the Darlington Oak, is a species typically found in low wet areas. Leaves turn brown and fall in autumn. Others are located at the Japanese Garden, Mansion lawn and wetlands., Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). These native trees are used commercially and also planted for their beauty and fast growth. The specimens behind you was planted there to replace a white pine that dated to the Dooley era.

, A History of the Land , The land that became Maymont was originally part of a vast area ruled by Algonquian chief Powhatan. In the 1600s, it became part of Henrico County, and throughout the 1800s, it was used as farmland. When the Dooleys purchased the property, the land just north of it was New Reservoir Park. That area was later renamed William Byrd Park in honor of Richmond's founder who owned a huge tract along the river including the land that eventually became Maymont. Annexations in 1906 and 1914 brought the entire area within the city limits. There are two granite markers on the estate carved with "C. L. 1908" to show the city limits at that time. One is nearby, behind you along Dooley Branch. The other is in the Black Bear Habitat. The Dooleys left Maymont to the city, and it opened to the public in 1926., Wildlife Habitats , The roadway straight ahead along Dooley Branch leads to Maymont's outdoor wildlife exhibits were first introduced at Maymont in the 1950s through the leadership of William B. Thalhimer, Sr. Today the habitats feature native Virginia species. On the hillside next to the Nature Center, you will find American bison, which lived in the Virginia wilderness through the 1700s. The road along the stream leads to the habitats of two of Virginia's predators, gray fox and bobcat, as well as sika deer, a species introduced from Asia to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the 1920s. You will also encounter majestic birds of prey, including bald eagles, hawks, and owls. Most of Maymont's animals were injured or orphaned or otherwise are unable to survive in the wild. Maymont serves as a sanctuary for these animals, and the special care they received gives them a second chance at life while adding great educational value to the guest experience., The Robins Nature Center , On the hillside to your right, the Robins Nature Center presents the wonders of the natural environment along the James River. A series of giant aquaria hold native fish and turtles as well as playful river otters. You also will see animals that live along the river's edge, such as snakes, with hands-on learning about the power and uses of the river. The Robins Nature Center is the focal point of environmental education programs that foster respect for animals and promote conservation of the natural world. The Nature Center is open year-round.