Riddick's Folly House Museum

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Suffolk, VA
Riddick's Folly House Museum

During the American Civil War, this 21-room, Greek-Revival-style home served as headquarters for the Union during the occupation of Suffolk, Virginia.
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lemish bond, and double chimneys rise from both ends of the stately historic landmark. Slender columns of the Greek Revival period frame the main entrance. The interior showcases intricately carved moldings and elaborate ceiling medallions throughout the house. Riddick's Folly has four floors, twenty-one rooms, and sixteen fireplaces. All four floors are open to the public. The building features elegantly furnished double parlors, a gentlemen's library, and adult and children's bedchambers. Also open are the laundry and dining rooms, and our newest restoration project, the kitchen. Registered with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places. During the Civil War, Riddick’s Folly served as headquarters for the Union Army. Admission:

Adults / $7
Military / $6
Seniors 55 & older / $6
Students 18 & under / $3
Children 5 & under free

07/07/2024

01/03/2024

"The display of the cannon starts that conversation, and leads to much more in us all learning about our history.” - RF Board President Fred D. Taylor

Riddick’s Folly House Museum is celebrating a new addition to its historical collection. Riddick’s Folly Director and Curator Edward L. King has added a new replica cannon outside the museum’s doors. Since its November arrival, it has been noted as an attraction for Suffolk residents. Celebrat...

05/19/2023

Reserve your space ASAP for tomorrow's
AMERICAN GIRL DOLL PROGRAM at Riddick's Folly House Museum

Featured Doll: MOLLY MCINTIRE
A ten-year-old who dreams of having a princess-themed Tea Party for her birthday, only to learn her family cannot afford it.

🫖 IT’S A “TEA PARTY!” - Come ” Dressed to Impress”
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023
TWO SESSIONS: 10:00 am & 11:30 am

It's free to attend but reservations are required as space is limited to 20 children per session, ages 6 to 12.

Call 757-934-0822 or Email [email protected] to register

Riddick's Folly House Museum
510 N. Main Street
Downtown Suffolk
www.RiddicksFolly.org

04/26/2023

Riddick’s Folly Director and Curator Edward L. King is celebrating three new additions of furniture to the museum’s collection of history. Nathaniel Riddick Withers, a descendant of the Riddick family, presented the museum with new artifacts from his family’s line to include for preservation. ...

04/01/2023

Story by Phyllis Speidell Photos by John H. Sheally II Driving in downtown Suffolk you may have noticed Riddick’s Folly, the tall, majestic brick home standing near the corner of Constance Road and North Main St. While the eye-catching structure is a familiar landmark, you may not be aware that it...

09/13/2022

“The 252-year-old dress came home last week as Nichol Gabor, curator of costumes and textiles at The Valentine, a museum dedicated to Richmond’s history, made the drive south to Suffolk and handed it off to Lee King, who said he hopes to be able to put the dress on display by the end of the month.”

“It’s home.” For the past 15 years, Riddick’s Folly House Museum has had to do with a photograph and a cutout of the 1770 wedding dress Ann Willis wore when she married Josiah Henry Riddick a year later. But as museum curator and director Lee King said, it has come home. Newsletter Email new...

03/17/2020

Riddick's Folly House Museum is closed through March 31. Please check back for updated hours after that time.

Address

510 N Main Street
Suffolk, VA
23434

Telephone

+17579340822

Website

http://www.riddicksfolly.org/

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Our Story

While Mills Riddick's contemporaries may have mocked his Greek Revival home when it was built in 1837, the house now stands as a beautiful reminder of the past. The impressive structure is situated on North Main Street and features striking architectural details. The five frieze band windows across the front of the house are rarely seen in eastern Virginia. The front of the mansion is bricked in Flemish bond, and double chimneys rise from both ends of the stately historic landmark. Slender columns of the Greek Revival period frame the main entrance. The interior showcases intricately carved moldings and elaborate ceiling medallions throughout the house. Riddick's Folly has four floors, twenty-one rooms, and sixteen fireplaces. All four floors are open to the public. The building features elegantly furnished double parlors, a gentlemen's library, and adult and children's bedchambers. Also open are the laundry and dining rooms, the bathing and dressing room on the third floor, and the kitchen. There is also a tastefully stocked Gift Shop in the English basement, which was once the larder (or pantry).

Registered with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Civil War Trails, Riddick’s Folly served as headquarters for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Guided tours are available during Riddick Folly’s normal operating hours. Group tours are also available; please contact the museum in advance. Visitors should plan to spend about an hour to an hour and a half at Riddick’s Folly. Hours of Operation: Wednesday - Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm *Riddick’s Folly is closed on major holidays.

Admission: Adults: $7 Military: $6 Seniors 55 +: $6 Students 6-18: $3 Children 5 & under free Partial tours: $4 *Group rates available.