The cold winds have ceased, the ice has thawed and the sun has finally decided to grace Virginia with its presence. Summer time is in full swing. Locals and tourists alike are finding their warm weather clothes and looking for places to enjoy nature. Luckily, if you’re in Richmond you don’t need to travel far. The illustrious Maymont estate has been open to the public for nearly a century, courtesy of James & Sallie May Dooley.

James Dooley, born in Richmond on January 17, 1841, was the son of Irish immigrants and one of nine children. His father, John Dooley, became a successful hat manufacturer and was able to comfortably raise his nine children.

James was always an avid learner. He enrolled in Georgetown College (now Georgetown University) in 1856 and distinguished himself as first ranked in his class for his entire undergraduate career. Soon after completing his undergraduate studies, James and his brother John enlisted in the Confederate army. The brothers joined their father’s unit in the Montgomery guard, a militia composed of mostly Irish immigrants. James was wounded at the battle of Williamsburg and captured until 1862. Due to his condition, he was no longer fit for battle and worked in the Confederate Ordinance Department for the remainder of the war. People would honor James and his service by referring to him as “Major” for years after his service.

Following the war, James completed his Master of Arts degree at Georgetown. Immediately after, he began his career as an attorney. He was known to have a keen mind in both law and business and quickly rose to prominence during the years Richmond was rebuilding its businesses. While building his fortune, James showed his sense of civic duty by working toward stabilizing the economy of the war-torn region. He served in the Virginia Legislature for six years, was a board member for St. Joseph’s Orphanage for 50 years, served on the board for the Medical College of Virginia, and even donated funds for the construction of Dooley Hospital.

Major Dooley died on November 16, 1922 at the age of 81 at Grace Hospital. He was originally buried at Hollywood cemetery, but was moved to the mausoleum at Maymont upon its completion. He left three million dollars to the St. Joseph’s orphanage, which broke the current record for donations to Catholic organizations.  He also bequeathed the Maymont Estate to the city of Richmond upon Mrs. Dooley’s death.

Alongside most great men is a great woman. Sallie May Dooley was certainly no exception to the saying. Sallie O. May was born July 23, 1846 in Lunenburg County and was the eight of nine children. Sallie came from prominent bloodlines, even descending from Royal Governors on her father’s side. Her mother passed away while Sallie was still a young child. As a result, Sallie spent most of her childhood years living with her older, married sisters in Staunton, Virginia. By the age of 23, Sallie married James Dooley, who was beginning his career as an attorney.

By 1886, The Dooleys purchased some old farm land by the James River. Sallie, who had a passion for horticulture, spearheaded the planning for the landscaping and gardens that would form the famous Maymont estate. Along with her active role in shaping and maintaining the Maymont estate, Sallie was a writer. Her love for gardens and horticulture were apparent in her poems and stories.  Her book, “Dem Good Ole Times” was a collection of short stories from the perspective of a former slave and reflected the south’s tradition of romanticizing “the lost cause” of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Dooley was a philanthropist and active member in several Virginian organizations. She was a founding member of Virginia’s first chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a charter member of the Colonial Dames of Virginia, a member of the Order of the Crown and a supporter of the Virginia Historical Society. Upon her husband’s death, Sallie donated half a million dollars to build the Richmond Public Library in his memory. When she passed away, she willed sizable sums of money to the Crippled Children’s Hospital, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the Richmond Public Library. Just as her husband recommended, Maymont was left to the City of Richmond and opened to the public in 1926.

Thanks to the Dooleys, Richmonders and tourists are now able to enjoy the 100 acre Victorian style estate. Some of the attractions include the Italian gardens, the waterfall, Japanese gardens including a large koi pond, several animal exhibits and plenty of rolling grassy hills for lounging. The mansion itself remains unchanged, with all of the original furniture and decorations intact and both self-guided and guided tours offered to guests.