The Bolling Haxall House, an imposing Italianate mansion in

the heart of downtown Richmond, was built in 1858 for

prosperous business leader Bolling Walker Haxall (pictured

below) whose fortune was lost during the Civil War. Following

ownership by Dr. Francis Willis, the house was purchased in

1900 by The Woman's Club, courageously founded in 1894 for

the serious education of women. In 1915 the club added an

elegant ballroom to host weekly speakers of national and

international renown. Totally renovated in the late 1980s under

the direction of a team of acclaimed preservationists, the Bolling Haxall House

boasts original features and Victorian decor typical of the turn of the 19th

century while the ballroom reflects the classical motifs of the later Beaux Arts

style. A Virginia Historic Landmark, The Bolling Haxall House is also listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to serving as the headquarters of the fifteen

hundred member Woman's Club, it is also a popular community cultural center enjoyed by various

business, civic, and performing arts groups.

——An unusual feature at the house is a 40-foot hand painted mural depicting Richmond in 1860 as the

Haxalls would have seen the City from their upstairs porch. A lively account of

a bustling city on the eve of the Civil War, this remarkable composition brims

with life and showcases architectural treasures from the past as well as

buildings still standing. Completed in 1995 by Richmond artist Luther

Coleman Wells, the mural attracts school groups and historians alike.