Notes
This mantel was once in the law office of William Wirt Henry (1831–1900) at Red Hill. Dating this piece proves difficult; however, it was likely installed by William Wirt Henry upon the construction of his law office, sometime between 1868 and 1900.
The law office of Wirt Henry was constructed initially southwest of the main house at the western corner of the boxwood maze. The square, wood-framed building had a hipped roof, one brick chimney, clapboard siding, and sat on a continuous brick foundation.
During the residency of Lucy Gray Henry Harrison (1857–1900), daughter of William Henry, his law office was moved and connected to Patrick Henry's law office on the east side. The brick foundation was replaced with stone. See photo 95.23.4 for more information. The fireplace was not relocated from its original position during these renovations, as evidenced by two photographs taken of the fireplace in the Wirt Henry law office in the 1950s.
The construction of the mantel helps place its date of creation. On the reverse, it is evident that the wood was hand-hewn (indicating it is more likely to have been made in the 19th century rather than the 20th century) and held in place by T-head cut nails. Cut nails were primarily used between ca. 1805 and 1920.
The mantelpiece was removed from Wirt Henry's law office before its demolition by the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation in ca. 1960. It was found in the collection and accessioned by staff in May 2023.