From the Richmond Dispatch, 11/3/1901, p. 1, c. 5

THEIR NEW QUARTERS.
Virginia Club to Accept Old Van Lew Mansion This Week.

This week the Virginia Club will take possession of their new club-house, on Grace street, between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth. It was formerly the historic Van Lew home. It has now been transformed so that it can hardly be known. It is a beautiful place inside and out. It is a country club in the very heart of the city. One who knew it when Miss Lizzie Van Lew was its almost sole occupant would hardly know grounds or building now.

It was the hope of the club to get into their new quarters last week, but this was found to be impossible, because all the furniture could not be arranged in time. It was the plan to have a members’ smoker in celebration of the event, but this, of course, had to be abandoned until this week – Tuesday or Wednesday night – or even later. As soon as the club gets settled in its new home, a reception will be held, to which the ladies and friends of the members will be invited.

The “Van Lew House,” as every one calls it, is known to almost every child in Richmond. It is a handsome old-time mansion. It was built many years before the war, and was occupied for many years by the father of Miss Van Lew. During his life time it was the scene of many fashionable gatherings. The best people of Richmond passed into its doors. Before the war came on, the father died, and the family separated far and wide. During the war Miss Lizzie Van Lew was the chief occupant of the house, and the comfort given by her to the northern soldiers became historic and for a time made her name odious in the State. She outlived much of the feeling against her, and all passed away when last year she died. The Virginia Club came in possession of the place several months ago, and since that time have spent much money on the house and grounds until not a club in the land has a prettier or more stately home than theirs.

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