The B. Randolph Wellford Gallery 

Over the past year, the Battlefields Foundation has worked closely with The Westmoreland Club to design a new gallery to house the Club’s priceless collection of Confederate Art.  The collection, now on permanent loan with the Foundation, has been installed behind glass with corresponding interpretive panels and exhibits.  With more than $60,000 already expended, the cost of the new gallery when complete will be just over $78,000. None of this work would have been possible without the generosity of the Wellford family who contributed $35,000 to the project.  The Westmoreland Club and its members contributed an additional $6,000, leaving us with just $37,000 more to raise.   

The artwork now on exhibit is a national treasure.  By making a contribution you can help complete this gallery project, protect the Westmoreland Collection, and share this art with the world for generations to come.  Please join those from across the country who believe that making sure this collection stays together and stays on exhibit is important – and make your contribution today to the Wellford Gallery Fund. Click here to give:

History of The Westmoreland Club

The Westmoreland Club of Richmond, Virginia, is a storied institution with a history that intertwines with the city’s own narrative. Established in 1877, the club was a place where gentlemen could gather for camaraderie and to reminisce about their Civil War service. Named in honor of Westmoreland County, the birthplace of notable figures such as George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the club offered a range of amenities including a restaurant, bar, athletic facilities, library, laundry and valet services, a barber shop, and sleeping rooms for out-of-town members and guests. 

Originally housed in the Norman Stewart house at 707 East Franklin Street, the club moved in 1879 to a Greek Revival mansion at Sixth and Grace. This location became a central part of the club’s identity, remaining there until 1937. The Great Depression, along with the passing of many long-term members, led to a decline in membership that could no longer support the club’s facilities. In a move that reflected the times, The Westmoreland Club made an arrangement with the Commonwealth Club, allowing interested members to transfer their memberships without an initiation fee. 

The club’s impressive library was sold to the city of Richmond, and many of its furnishings were donated to the Valentine Museum. Perhaps most notably, the club’s valuable art collection was loaned indefinitely to the Commonwealth Club, where it remained until now. This collection is a significant part of Richmond’s cultural heritage, reflecting the city’s history and the memories of its people. 

The records of The Westmoreland Club, spanning from 1877 to 1937, are a treasure trove of historical information. They include correspondence concerning membership files, financial and committee reports, and legal records. These documents provide insight into the club’s operations and the social fabric of Richmond during a transformative period in American history. 

The Westmoreland Club’s story is one of tradition and transition. It represents a bygone era of Southern gentility and the complex legacy of the Civil War. As a social institution, it was a place where Richmond’s elite could engage in leisure and networking, shaping the city’s social and economic landscape. Today, the legacy of The Westmoreland Club lives on through its records and the art collection that is now being housed at the New Market Battlefield Military Museum. These artifacts continue to be a subject of interest for historians and the public alike, offering a window into Richmond’s past and the narratives that have shaped it, and serving as a reminder of the club’s historically significant role in the lives of Richmond’s residents.