Maymont Park

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Maymont is a 100 acre (400,000 m²) Victorian estate located at 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, Virginia. It contains a museum, an arboretum, formal gardens, native wildlife exhibits, nature center, carriage collection, and petting zoo known as "The Maymont Children's Farm".

In 1893, Major James H. Dooley, a wealthy Richmond lawyer and philanthropist, and his wife, Sallie, completed their elaborate Gilded Age estate on a site high above the James River. According to their wishes, after their death, Maymont was left to the people of Richmond. Over the next 75 years, additional attractions were added.

The Dooley Noted Society is the young professional group that supports Maymont through cultivation of volunteer, social and fund raising activities.

[edit] The Gardens

The Japanese gardens located at Maymont are well tended and cared for and consist of numerous koi ponds as well as a large waterfall coming down from the terrace. There is an extensive rose garden ending in a large waterfall located on a terrace below the manor. The roses are partially shaded using with a wisteria covered arbor.

The arboretum dates from the early 20th century, and contains more than 200 species of trees and woody plants. It includes a number of "exotic champions" including a Cedrus atlantica, Cryptomeria japonica, Parrotia persica, and Tilia europea.

Maymont's gardens are popular for outdoor weddings focused around the Italian garden, the Japanese gardens, the waterfalls, or other numerous gazebos located throughout the grounds.

Another popular activity at Maymont is the Children's Farm.