Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Gibson Girl
⎯⎯⎯
Lady Astor
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
1. The Gibson Girl Marker
The Gibson Girl. Here stood the residence in which Irene Langhorne Gibson, 1873-1956 was born. Built in 1874, the house was moved in 1921 from its original Main Street corner to 117 Broad Street. Irene's beauty, charm, and vivacity captivated the artist Charles Dana Gibson who, following their marriage in 1895, cast his celebrated, style-setting "Gibson Girl" illustrations in her image.
Lady Astor. Here stood the residence in which Nancy Langhorne, Viscountess Astor, 1879-1964, was born. Built in 1874, the house was moved in 1921 from its original Main Street corner to 117 Broad Street. Lady Astor, noted for her wit, advocacy of Women's Rights, strong views on temperance, and articulate affection for her native state, was the first woman to sit, 1919-1945, in the British House of Commons.
Erected 2011 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 36° 34.794′ N, 79° 24.176′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia.
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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: Lady Astor Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Langhorne House (within shouting distance of this marker); Stratford College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick Delius (about 300 feet away); The M.P. Jordan House (about 700 feet away); Holbrook-Ross Historic District (about 800 feet away); Last Confederate Capitol (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Catholic Church In Danville, Virginia (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.
More about this marker. This marker replaces an earlier two-sided marker at this location, numbered Q‑5c. One side was titled The Gibson Girl and the other Lady Astor. Two-sided markers are rare in Virginia. It stood until replaced by this marker. The marker was not listed in the 1848 sixth edition of the State Historical Markers of Virginia but was listed in Margaret Peters 1985 A Guidebook to Virginias Historical Markers. The inscription on Q-5C was as follows.
The Gibson Girl. Here stood the residence in which Irene Langhorne Gibson, 18731956 wasborn. Her beauty, charm, and vivacity captivated the artist Charles Dana Gibson who, following their marriage in 1895, cast his celebrated, style-setting Gibson Girl illustrations in her image.Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 20132. Lady Astor Marker
Lady Astor. Here stood the residence in which Nancy Longhorne, Viscountess Astor, 18791945, was born. Lady Astor, noted for her wit, advocacy of Womens Rights, strong views on temperance, and articulate affection for her native state, was the first woman to sit, 19191945, in the British House of Commons.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
3. Broad Street (facing north)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
4. Broad Street (facing south)
Photographed by Charles Dana Gibson, circa 1895
5. Gibson Girl
Created by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson, the Gibson Girl set the fashion for the ideal American woman at the turn of the century. - United States Postal Service
December 2, 2015
6. Nancy, Viscountess Astor, C. H
This portrait of Nancy Langhorne, Viscountess Astor, painted by James Gunn hangs on in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond Virginia.
“Born in Danville, Virginia, on May 19, 1879, Lady Astor was the first woman member of the British Parliament, elected November 28, 1919, and represented Plymouth, Sutton Division.
The portrait of Lady Astor, dressed in attire that she customarily wore when sitting as a Member of the British Parliament, was presented in 1937 to Governor George C. Peery by a committee representing the ladies of the Commonwealth. ”
“Born in Danville, Virginia, on May 19, 1879, Lady Astor was the first woman member of the British Parliament, elected November 28, 1919, and represented Plymouth, Sutton Division.
The portrait of Lady Astor, dressed in attire that she customarily wore when sitting as a Member of the British Parliament, was presented in 1937 to Governor George C. Peery by a committee representing the ladies of the Commonwealth. ”
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 18, 2024
7. Lady Astor portrait
This large portrait of Lady Astor is displayed in the Danville Municipal Building
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 3, 2024
8. Lady Astor
Lady Astor returned to visit Danville multiple times after moving to Great Britain, as shown in this portrait on display in the Danville Mall.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,287 times since then and 112 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 27, 2016. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on December 7, 2015. 6. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on December 14, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.
