The Maymont Mansion presents a rare opportunity to view the sole surviving green wool uniform of Richmond’s Montgomery Guard, Company C of the First Virginia Infantry, a militia company formed by Irish Americans in 1850. This legendary uniform is a highly significant display for Maymont as it belonged to John Dooley (1809-1868), the father of James H. Dooley who was a Gilded Age financier and owner of Maymont. Two other important artifacts associated with John Dooley join his uniform in this special exhibit. A fine oil portrait of John Dooley painted by Peter Baumgras in 1859 will be shown publicly for the first time, its true identity recently revealed during conservation treatment. John Dooley’s Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword, made by Virgil Price of New York and recently conserved through funds from the Maymont Council, will also be displayed alongside the green coatee with which it was originally worn. Both the portrait and the sword are part of the Maymont Mansion Collection. The uniform is on temporary loan from The Nau Civil War Collection in Houston, Texas.
