Tour the Grounds - Retreat Facilities
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Our refectory, located on the ground floor of the dormitory building, was originally a gymnasium for the students of the Monte Maria Academy. When the school closed in 1927, the floor was raised and the room was refurbished as a dining hall. The Sisters ate their meals in silence, while one of their number stood on a raised platform and offered a devotional reading to the group. Today, the refectory is usually full of happy voices, but the platform still remains.
The Sisters took all the books -- and the bookshelves -- with them when they moved to Rockville, Virginia; the over 2000 volumes now in our collection are gifts from friends of Richmond Hill. A significant gift from Msgr. Chester Michael and the Open Door publishing company has helped us to fill in many necessary volumes. However, the librarian is always grateful to consider further additions to our collection.
Richmond Hill offers overnight accommodations for 40 persons, groups and individuals. All rooms are either singles or doubles.The dormitory was originally constructed to house students of the Monte Maria Academy, but when the school closed, the Sisters moved into the building themselves. It is said that the Sisters would change sleeping quarters periodically so that they could meditate on the particular saint or virtue to which the room was dedicated. The move also prevented them from becoming attached to any one room.
Built on the westernmost foundations of the old Adams mansion, our solarium was originally an open-air porch. It was enclosed during the 1960's and now serves as a meeting room for retreats. The solarium is equipped with a piano and a TV with VCR. It's a sunny, cheerful room which offers an excellent view of the garden.
The bottom floors of the Palmer-Taylor House date to about 1810, while the top floor and porches were added in 1859. During the Civil War when Richmond was occupied by Union forces, a Northern general used it as his headquarters. Later, the Sisters used it as the center of their Academy. Richmond Hill offers its cheerful rooms as meeting halls for retreats.
Of particular interest is the "Novitiate," (left) the room in which novice nuns spent most of their day, studying and praying. The walls are still decorated with scrolls and scripture verses, and a porch at the rear looks out over the James River. The "Soft Chair Room" (below, right) is especially suited for spiritual direction.
The "Mollie Tinsley" room is also a popular spot for retreat groups because of its generous size. The largest room in the Palmer-Taylor House, it can accommodate some 60 persons. The namesake of this room was probably a student during the Academy days. She etched her name into one of the windows with a diamond ring, and her mark is still there today.
Note cards featuring the Palmer-Taylor House are available in the gift shop.
The Chapel
The Garden
Retreat Facilities
2209 East Grace Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223
phone: (804) 783-7903
fax: (804) 783-7957
e-mail: retreats@richmondhillva.org