Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sutherlin Mansion
Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
1. Sutherlin Mansion CWT Marker
This Italian villa mansion was the home of Maj. William T. Sutherlin, wartime quartermaster for Danville and one of its most prominent citizens. For one week, April 3-10, 1865, Sutherlin and his wife opened their home to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate government. In this house, Davis wrote and delivered his final proclamation to the Confederacy on April 4. Four days later, during the final cabinet meeting in this city, Lt. John S. Wise arrived with news of that the Army of Northern Virginia might be compelled to surrender near Appomattox Court House. On April 10, reliable news arrived that Lee had surrendered. At 10 p.m. Davis and other officials left Danville aboard a train headed for Greensboro, North Carolina.
"Though the occupation of Danville was not expected to be permanent, immediately after arriving there, rooms were obtained, and the different departments resumed their routine labors. Nothing could have exceeded the kindness and hospitality of the patriotic citizens. They cordially gave us an old Virginia welcome " — Jefferson Davis from his The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government.
Erected by Virginia
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1865.
Location. 36° 34.854′ N, 79° 24′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Pine Street west of Sutherlin Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 975 Main Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia and specifically in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sutherlin House (within shouting distance
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
3. Sutherlin Mansion (rear)
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 20, 2025
4. W. T. Sutherlin
Maj. Sutherlin was Mayor of Danville prior to the War, visible on this plaque of former mayors on display in the Danville Municipal Building.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 29, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.
