Maymont was created by James Henry and Sallie May Dooley, who lived there from 1893 to 1925. James Dooley, the son of Irish immigrants, built a fortune in railroads, real estate, and other ventures. Sallie May Dooley, a descendant of old Virginia families, was an avid gardener, a writer, and an active member of the community. Their estate, named from a combination of her maiden name and the French word for hill, stood high above the James River and reflected the opulence and extravagance of the Gilded Age. The Dooleys gave Maymont as a park and museum, and over many decades donors have supported additions such as animal habitats, renovations, and general operations so it remains open to everyone.
