The Commonwealth Club, Richmond

The Commonwealth Club, Richmond

The Commonwealth Club in Richmond is a prestigious private gentlemen's club and an iconic symbol of Richmond's architectural and cultural heritage. Established in its current clubhouse in 1891, the club is located on West Franklin Street, anchoring the Commonwealth Club Historic District. This building is celebrated as one of Richmond's most exemplary architectural feats and is emblematic of the city's embrace of the New South movement.

The clubhouse design originated when local plans didn’t satisfy the club board, prompting them to hire the distinguished New York firm Carrère and Hastings. Chosen over three competitors, the firm crafted a modern yet Southern design located at the elevated, historic Palmer House site. The Commonwealth Club combines Colonial Revival and Richardsonian Romanesque styles, featuring deep red brickwork with brownstone trim and terra cotta details. These elements reflect America's historical legacy and Richmond’s cultural aspirations. The building is classified as Italian Renaissance Revival by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, underscoring its significant architectural impact.

The club is not only a local architectural landmark but also a vibrant cultural center. It hosts the Richmond German Christmas Dance annually, the oldest debutante ball in Virginia, which is a significant social event in the region and a cherished tradition. This event, along with the club's rich architectural heritage, underscores its role in the social and cultural fabric of Richmond.

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The Commonwealth Club on Map

1
30 m
100 ft
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: The Commonwealth Club
Sight Location: Richmond, USA (See walking tours in Richmond)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Richmond, Virginia

Create Your Own Walk in Richmond

Create Your Own Walk in Richmond

Creating your own self-guided walk in Richmond is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Richmond Introduction Walking Tour

Richmond Introduction Walking Tour

After settling Jamestown in 1607, several expeditions up the James River led to an interest in the area inhabited by the Powhatan Nation. But the first European settlements didn’t come for more than a hundred years when in 1737, planter William Byrd II had the original town grid laid out.

He named the town “Richmond” after an English town. He felt the view of the James River was similar...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Maymont and Carytown Walking Tour

Maymont and Carytown Walking Tour

Maymont, a picturesque and spacious Victorian estate in Richmond, Virginia, is a popular outdoor attraction nestled in the very heart of the city.

Home to the beautifully landscaped Japanese and Italian gardens surrounding the opulent, historic Maymont Mansion, it represents a remnant from America's Gilded Age. Nature enthusiasts can also explore the Maymont Wildlife Center, home to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Historical Homes Walking Tour

Historical Homes Walking Tour

Being one of America’s oldest major cities, the capital of Virginia, Richmond, is rich with historic homes, dating back well into the 1800s and beyond. Those passionate about storied buildings will surely find plenty to their taste here.

The Edgar Allan Poe Museum, The White House of the Confederacy – home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War, and the John Marshall...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles