Kent-Valentine House

February 2, 2022

Chairman Mary Wick, Three Chopt Garden Club

Kent-Valentine House Chairman Mary Wick expressed concern in fall 1998 that KVH expenses were running ahead of projections. House rental levels had not reached projections, and the Carriage House was still unoccupied. She reported at the 1998 Board of Governors that increased use of the house by members required more help with fresh flower arrangements. The Petersburg and Ashland garden clubs were invited to join the four Richmond clubs in the flower arranging rotation, and each graciously accepted the invitation. On a discouraging note, rain from Hurricane Bonnie flooded the elevator pit and the mechanical room. While no major damage occurred, a sump pump had to be purchased and installed.

By spring 1999, the KVH budget was still a concern, but increasing use of the house by members resulted in ever increasing demands. Housekeeper Annie Tyler’s hours needed to be increased, and the need of a house manager with responsibility for marketing, managing staff, overseeing maintenance and help with development was becoming apparent. Fortunately, a new tenant signed a three-year contract to lease the Carriage House and a Journal article about the Catesby prints brought in donations to restore the prints. A year later, finances had improved with added rentals, Carriage House income and donations — a new carpet for the parlor, gardening books for the library and funds to restore the large exterior urns and twelve Catesby prints. Rentals netted $4,000.