" This is the Wickham house it's a house museum here in Richmond today just three blocks from the governor's mansion was built in 1811. Two years before the mansion. And it was built for a man named John Wickham who came here from Long Island New York. He married the mayor's daughter became a lawyer banker he was the wealthiest man in town and he hired a really interesting character Alexander Parris. Whoo it's our main boy who went to Massachusetts and became a house right an architect whatever you want to cause he studied with Paul -- the great neo classical architect from Boston. He learned all there was to learn about the the excitement of neoclassical. Architecture and design things that were being discovered in Greece and Rome and -- being copied by the English and here in Richmond and he found is ideal client man with a very deep pockets so an 1811. He created what is really -- a gem of neo classicism let's go inside and meet Jennifer -- who's going to let us have a peek at some of the rooms. I'm so glad we're starting a tour here in this stair hall that is really an emblem of what this house."

" Is all about yes it definitely is this is probably the centerpiece of the house. An incumbent is an elliptical staircase yeah when you first look at it you think it's round but I guess it is -- right it is analysts and it really if you look up that it resembles an artist's -- that -- created."

" Yes and it was an opportunity for Alexander pair tested. Go deep into those pockets of the client and bring together all the finest Richmond artisans and craftsmen and Joyner to create this. Yes this is really worker right everything from -- pollute down here to the carpet. Tell me about the car."

" The cutting actually very actually it is all of these designs -- unique to Virginia. This is a dogwood flower here and on magnolia. Air out fabulous."

" And of course the the coloration in here is so muted it really. Live and so -- I know this is a large federal era house and where you want to be in the tour."

" I think what you beaten up -- follies and we and covered all of this pain during our restoration at about ten years and what you see over here in the panels are basically what we call the pump paint style this is a reproduction of what you -- yesterday right although we have left some of the original uncovered in one corner of restaurant and actually very interesting to our visitors we'll explain that it. Well when we didn't restoration we uncovered about eleven layers of paint. And the original you can see in one corner -- we have tried to restore that's from about 1815. To the far less. That corner is what was created in about 1850. Who was. An attempt to Vila more Victorian. That the second."

" So that the colors less vibrant in the mid nineteenth century -- it was in the early nineteenth century original house right although you notice that the frame. As a lot more three dimensional -- Martin guitar and so that what you've done is really try to recreate the Pompeii and look yes it's almost creates a paneled sense but it's just. Using the within maroon. To outline the different colors. But what about these beautiful. Over door paintings that are on -- doors."

" Well we actually have an interesting story behind them. They are drying. And homer's Iliad. And they're taken after a book of trying and I John flaxman in the late eighteenth century so where they also uncovered as part of restoration actually they were uncovered earlier they weren't covered by -- Valentine who is the last manor house we still don't know how he knew they were here that they have actually been uncovered for about a hundred years. Oh -- conditions yes. So the room is somewhat sparsely furnished isn't it. Well NEA's and we're not sure exactly how much furniture would've been in here that we -- know that. This is about the furniture they would have needed for the purpose of mr. and mrs. Wickham spent a good deal per day here entertaining guests and and also working with her daughters on their lessons. Aaron needle point and they amending. Isn't it primer."

" Jennifer this is bright color."

" It's certainly -- vermilion isn't it yes and emerald green or peacock green -- and these are the exact colors batteries. At that time period in this house but we do you know they were available for purchase when we come with spinal furniture."

" Now from the sociological perspective these are rich people enrichment and it's eighteen generating fifteen. What are they trying to achieve."

" What is there would have been the most formal room in the house designed specifically for entertaining. The family would really not spend any time in here at all. Basically what they were trying through -- she was to let everyone know just how much money they had. And what their status wasn't society and one way to do that in the federal period within your furnishings and particularly through your upholstery your draperies and you're collapsed like the chandelier EC --"

" And now its interest because. The new republic has rejected the old mother country influence in terms of art and yet they're still kind of looking to Europe. For inspiration. And they're combining elements there they're combining elements out of Greek history enrollment design with things that are of the republic like the Eagles. Though the spread wings what kind of furniture business."

" While the -- actually did belong to mister Wickham me have been built for this room and we love to have them here. They were built by Charles Monroe EA in New York City he was a French. Immigrants -- newspaper -- with a classical design he was a contemporary confines yes you -- okay."

" What do you call this -- And integration couch. And is this typical the brass casters underneath the the alliance -- whatever that is."

" Actually at this time period casters would have been very typical and you see them on the bottom of almost every piece of furniture in this room was that. Well in the federal time it even in a large mansion like if there wasn't a lot of room to do all the different things you need to do you. And there wasn't such a thing central heating at different times of the year. We're different function he would want to be either closer to the wind as -- in the fireplace. Or maybe have a card table out instead of the Grecian."

" So -- wanted to move run that's what they'll actually forecasters in fact out the architecture of the room which as soon as the original from the early eighteen hundred's. Bob it's amazing the plaster work up there on the ceiling."

" That's original it is original we found that and it is a pattern from a book by Asher Benjamin."

" OK. And then again the cornice detailing around the room yes. That's happening out plaster work in the garlands that are. But the painted decoration on the walls. Are different obviously that's flat."

" It is flat and designed TUB three dimensional -- can on policy coming out next year. In each of these -- nine DC and I can't pay their followers pockets again classical steam coming out and each one of them have. Different symbols in the hand representing entertainment. Or dancing -- music to represent what was going on in the spring."