River Run Manor was the compilation of the life’s work of coal baron William Blair Massey as a place to celebrate and make memories with friends, family, and business associates. Today, River Run continues the fierce commitment of attention to detail as the Massey’s when they designed and produced this great piece of art.  

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The property that would eventually create the River Run wedding venue was purchased in the late 70’s and early 80’s. It is made up of a collection of acreage from neighboring landowners and seven lots of the River Cliff subdivision just as it was beginning to be established. Nearing 62 acres with an expansive James River waterfront and a sought after stretch along River Road, made this property quite the choice for a place to call home.  

 

Site work began on the land terracing in early 1980, a perspective built up to become the perfect precipice to wake up to from the view from the master suite. The exact viewpoint from the wall of arched windows in the master suite is no accident, and we are so grateful our guests get to wake up to that sought after sight all these years later!

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Construction continued in late 1980 as half a dozen site contractors set up shop with their office trailers under the oak grove (which has now become one of our ceremony areas!) to manage the intense years of craftsmanship ahead. 

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The mansion's interior boasts extravagant architectural embellishment built by Taylor and Parrish Construction from 1981-1987. This exquisite Georgian Revival offers 22,000 square feet of opulence sitting high on a bluff towering over the James River.

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River Run Manor features an upper brick promenade surrounded by a limestone balustrade and opens to a double curved staircase to the lower terrace. Marble floors, ornamental cornices, plaster friezes, 18-foot columns with gilded Corinthian capitals, and custom crystal chandeliers please the eye from the onset.

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….More of the story to come!