John Brockenbrough
Encyclopedia
John Brockenbrough was a business man and civic leader in Richmond, Virginia
. He was president of the Bank of Virginia. His home in Richmond's Court End District later served as the "White House" for the Confederate States of America
.
in Scotland
in 1795. He returned to his native Virginia
in April 1797 and married Gabriella Harvie Randolph. Brockenbrough did not actively practice medicine but was involved in civic and business enterprises.
In 1818, John Brockenbrough commissioned the building of a large residence. The house was built on two adjoining lots overlooking the Shockoe Valley. It is typically attributed to Robert Mills
, a prominent American neo-classical architect and acquaintance of John Brockenbrough. The home, typical of Richmond's
finer early nineteenth century dwellings, was two-stories tall with a slate flat roof. The principal floor featured a parlor, drawing room and dining room, while the bedrooms were upstairs. A kitchen and servants’ residence were located in an adjoining outbuilding. A garden was built.
In 1861, the Brockenbrough House, as it was then known, became the Executive Mansion of the Confederate States of America
. It was the official residence of President Jefferson Davis
, his wife Varina
and their children, the house was also the social, political and military center of the Confederacy during the American Civil War
(1861–1865). It became known as the White House of the Confederacy.
After use for a number of years as a school, the Confederate Museum opened on February 22, 1896 in the former White House of the Confederacy. Today, the gray stuccoed Brockenbrough House has been preserved as a National Historical Landmark and is part of the Museum of the Confederacy complex 3 blocks north of the Virginia State Capitol
in Richmond.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. He was president of the Bank of Virginia. His home in Richmond's Court End District later served as the "White House" for the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
.
History
Brockenbrough received his M.D. from the University of EdinburghUniversity of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1795. He returned to his native Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in April 1797 and married Gabriella Harvie Randolph. Brockenbrough did not actively practice medicine but was involved in civic and business enterprises.
In 1818, John Brockenbrough commissioned the building of a large residence. The house was built on two adjoining lots overlooking the Shockoe Valley. It is typically attributed to Robert Mills
Robert Mills (architect)
Robert Mills , most famously known for designing the Washington Monument, is sometimes called the first native born American to become a professional architect, though Charles Bulfinch perhaps has a clearer claim to this honor...
, a prominent American neo-classical architect and acquaintance of John Brockenbrough. The home, typical of Richmond's
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
finer early nineteenth century dwellings, was two-stories tall with a slate flat roof. The principal floor featured a parlor, drawing room and dining room, while the bedrooms were upstairs. A kitchen and servants’ residence were located in an adjoining outbuilding. A garden was built.
In 1861, the Brockenbrough House, as it was then known, became the Executive Mansion of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. It was the official residence of President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
, his wife Varina
Varina Howell
Varina Banks Howell Davis was an American author who was best known as the First Lady of the Confederate States of America, second wife of President Jefferson Davis.-Childhood:...
and their children, the house was also the social, political and military center of the Confederacy during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1861–1865). It became known as the White House of the Confederacy.
After use for a number of years as a school, the Confederate Museum opened on February 22, 1896 in the former White House of the Confederacy. Today, the gray stuccoed Brockenbrough House has been preserved as a National Historical Landmark and is part of the Museum of the Confederacy complex 3 blocks north of the Virginia State Capitol
Virginia State Capitol
The Virginia State Capitol is the seat of state government in the Commonwealth of Virginia, located in Richmond, the third capital of Virginia. It houses the oldest legislative body in the United States, the Virginia General Assembly...
in Richmond.