Union Station or Broad Street Station (now the Science Museum of Virginia)

John Russell Pope
1919



This is one of the last remaining monumental train terminals, a symbol of the great age of the railroad--in this case the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac and the Atlantic Coast Line railroad. See also Daniel H. Burnham's Union Station in Pittsburgh and his Union Station in Washington D. C. In the 1970's the station was close to being demolished when the Science Museum took up temporary residence in the station, now its permanent home.
In 1913, after winning the international competition, New York architect John Russell Pope was chosen as the architect for a new "Union" Station. (Pope also designed the National Gallery Art, the National Archives, and Jefferson Memorial in Washington and the Branch House at Monument Avenue and Davis Street just two blocks south of Broad Street Station in Richmond.)
 

Views of the front

This stately classical building is clad in Indiana limestone. It is domed with a 100 foot high rotunda.
 

The entrance, loggia, and view from the loggia to the canopies

The entrance features a gigantic Doric colonnade while the interior uses Ionic columns and pilasters. Cast iron and steel canopies add a decorative element.
 

The monumental entrance

 

Views of the interior

 

View of the side and detail of the dome




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© 2002 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

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