FY19 Annual Report
Message to Our Supporters
Dear Friend,
I am often asked what is it that makes Maymont so special. How has it come to be that almost everyone in our community can recall a treasured moment or share stories about their experience while at Maymont? After many years of experiencing Maymont alongside you, I have come to realize the secret is just that – your Maymont experiences. Below are all the ways in Fiscal Year 2019 that we made good on that newfound commitment, as well as your generous support. Thank you so much for making them possible
New possibilities for DELIGHT came with the inaugural Garden Glow event and additional furry and feathered friends. Garden Glow drew thousands of families, couples and nature lovers to explore the Japanese Garden at night, shining with dramatic light displays in October and November. Among the new animals who found sanctuary at Maymont during the year, three young elk and a red fox were introduced into wildlife habitats, and a skunk, kestrel and owl joined the animal ambassador team for environmental programs.
Engaging initiatives were put into action to EDUCATE more than 39,000 children from across the Richmond region and the Commonwealth of Virginia. City students enjoyed after-school learning in a partnership between our environmental education team and Richmond’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and Henrico middle school youth took part in B-WISE (Bay-Watershed in Science Education) programs, funded by a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) grant over three years.
To INSPIRE anticipation and excitement for the future, we embarked on several additional projects including the groundbreaking for new foundation offices and event facilities at 1000 Westover and preparations for a new James River experience at The Robins Nature Center. We also began research to expand the stories of the African American experience at Maymont, 1893-1925, beyond the Belowstairs exhibit and into the entire historic estate.
In Fiscal Year 2019, it was our privilege to give the community many new opportunities, make plans for additional engaging experiences, and continue to keep the estate and park open and accessible year-round. I am excited to see what we will accomplish together in Fiscal Year 2020. Thank you for your support, allowing us to provide countless special experiences that delight the diverse audiences that we serve.
Sincerely,
Parke Richeson
Executive Director
Highlights
We loved our visit here! My kids enjoyed feeding the baby goats. The gardens are beautiful! The animals and aquarium are great to see. We enjoyed our tour of the mansion as well. We packed our lunches and had a picnic lunch. We spent almost 5 hours exploring. Highly recommend! Will definitely return. – TripAdvisor guest review
Accolades
- Best ‘Do Not Miss’ Tourist Attraction, Virginia Living
- The Best Place to Spend the Day as a Family, Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Favorite Day Getaway, Style Weekly
- Best Deal in the Region, Richmond Magazine
- Stunning Botanical Gardens You Won’t Believe Are Free, Fodors
- Best Place for a Child’s Birthday Party, Richmond Magazine
By the Numbers
- 730,000+ visitors enjoyed Maymont’s exhibits, programming and parkland.
- 95,486 guests visited The Robins Nature Center exhibits and toured the Maymont Mansion.
- 96,365 people participated in environmental, historical and garden-related events and programs.
- 39,021 children were served through environmental and historical learning experiences.
- 1,900 volunteers gave their time, contributing over 18,800 hours of service.
- 560 children received scholarships to participate in educational programs.
Maymont Animals
- For the first time in 17 years, Maymont became home to elk again. Two young females and one male arrived in the spring.
- Maymont also welcomed a rescued red fox named Finnley to the wildlife habitats and three educational ambassador animals at The Robins Nature Center – a striped skunk named Daisy, an American kestrel named Killian, and an Eastern screech owl named Jiminy.
- Baby chicks, piglets, ducklings, and goat kids heralded spring at the Farm, and new marine species, including sea stars and horseshoe crabs, were popular for school and public programs at The Robins Nature Center.
Maymont Mansion
- The 125th anniversary of the completion of the Maymont Mansion was celebrated in September, and French design was featured during spring tours.
- Maymont said a fond farewell to Dale Wheary, Curator and Director of Historical Collections and Programs, who retired after four decades of outstanding service to secure national recognition for the award-winning historic house museum. In turn, Maymont welcomed a new Senior Curator of Historical Collections, David Voelkel, a highly-qualified museum professional with 20 years of experience in museum and preservation management.
Maymont Gardens
- Marie’s Butterfly Trail and Jack’s Vegetable Garden were enhanced with new plantings and updated signage, for the enjoyment and education of visitors and youth programs.
- 46 trees were planted, and 225 cubic yards of mulch, equaling three tractor trailer loads, were used to beautify the 100 acres of gardens and parkland.
- 50,600 households worldwide viewed VPM’s Virginia Home Grown, hosted by Peggy Singlemann, Maymont Director of Park Operations and Horticulture.
Maymont Events & Offerings
- Thousands of guests, including families, couples and nature lovers of all ages, enjoyed the inaugural year of Garden Glow, a dramatic light display in the Japanese Garden with related events and activities in The Robins Nature Center.
- The first year of the B-WISE program (Bay-Watershed in Science Education), funded by a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) grant, was successful, serving students at four Henrico County middle schools with plans to add eight additional schools over the next two years.
- $9,700 was raised during the second annual baby animals campaign, featuring an opportunity to win a baby goat cuddling session, with 232 (mostly new) donors who contributed.
Maymont Volunteers
- Over 18,800 hours of service were contributed, a value of $477,000 in time and talent!
- Volunteers of all ages and interests supported Maymont through special event and office assistance, animal and habitat care, public education, carriage collection duties, guest greetings, and gardens and grounds maintenance.
- 55 teams from companies and community organizations volunteered, totaling 658 volunteers and 2,032 hours.
- Maymont’s award-winning volunteers for FY19:
- Outstanding Dedication, Volunteer of the Year: Ken Venos
- Corporate Citizenship Award: Capital One
- Department Awards:
- Ann Peters, The Robins Nature Center
- Rick McCormick, Maymont Farm
- Pam Outten, Aquarist
- Kathleen Hershner, Maymont Mansion
- Evan Sims, Carriages
- Art Croft, Gardens and Grounds
- Rookie of the Year Awards:
- Hayden Mustico, Maymont Farm
- Daisy Moore, The Robins Nature Center
- Ryan Wagner, Aquarist
- Jessica Schneider, Maymont Mansion
- Cora Casey, Carriages
- Mark Bennett, Gardens and Grounds