Made famous nationally for its historical associations, the Sutherlin Mansion serves not only as the architectural focal point for Danville’s gracious Main Street, but as a cultural base as well. The building is a fine example of the antebellum Italian Villa style, unchanged from the original design except for low rear wings added when the house served as the city’s public library. Built in 1857 for William T. Sutherlin, a prominent banker, tobacconist and entrepreneur who also achieved the rank of Major during the War Between the States, the mansion sewed as residence for Confederate President Jefferson Davis from April 3-10,1865. Here he met with his cabinet, and penned his last Proclamation to boost the morale of the waning Confederacy. Here also he received word of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Thus for one week Danville served as “The Last Capital of the Confederacy."

Each year before Christmas, Danville Museum members deck the historic rooms of the Sutherlin Mansion in holiday finery for the President’s Reception. Reminiscent of mid-l9th-century America, the fresh evergreens, berries, tree and ornaments make the building, which is beautiful in every season, especially festive at Christmas. Today, the day after the Museum’s 19th-annual gala, all these natural decorations are especially fresh and lovely.