Valentine director Bill Martin dies after being hit by a car

One of the preeminent chroniclers of Richmond's history, William "Bill" Martin died Sunday at age 71 after being hit by a car downtown.

Martin spent 32 years at The Valentine. In a statement Sunday, the museum said Martin dedicated his life "to telling Richmond’s stories with care, integrity and a deep love for this community."

"We cannot fully put into words the impact Bill has had but he was a deeply respected leader, colleague and friend to everyone," the museum wrote. "He was a steadfast advocate for Richmond and his commitment to this place and its people leaves an enduring legacy that will continue to guide our work.

"We will share additional information, including opportunities to honor Bill’s memory, when appropriate."

Richmond Police were called to 10th and Broad Streets downtown on Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:10 p.m. for a report of a vehicle colliding into a pedestrian. Police determined an adult male driver "made a left turn from North 10th Street onto the eastbound lanes of East Broad Street and struck Martin while he was in the crosswalk."

The driver remained at the scene, and police said that charges are pending.

Deputy Director of Collections Meg Hughes made the public announcement, and will serve as the acting director.

"The Valentine’s Board of Trustees and leadership team are working closely together to ensure continuity of the museum’s operations and carry forward the mission that Bill cared so deeply about," the statement said. "We remain committed to serving our community and honoring the legacy that he leaves behind."

Martin's impact

The origins of the Valentine date back to 1893, with the death of Mann S. Valentine II, who made his fortune selling Valentine's Meat Juice.

The museum had fallen on tough financial times when Martin arrived. At the beginning of 1995, the museum missed an interest payment on a bank loan that had financed construction.

In a Richmond Times-Dispatch article at the time, Martin, then the museum's director of marketing, said the lending bank had been cooperative, and the museum would put on a capital campaign to raise the needed funds to stay open.

From there, Martin led the institution to a position of public prominence within the city.

The Valentine gained fame under Martin in part for being unafraid to tackle difficult historic topics, including slavery. The museum's collection includes a monument of Jefferson Davis that stood on Monument Avenue. It is currently on loan to a museum in Los Angeles.

Martin, who is a native of Culpeper County, attended Virginia Tech, and worked as Petersburg's director of museums and tourism before being hired to The Valentine.

Last year, he was named "Richmonder of the Year" by Style Weekly.

Tributes pour in

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula was among many sending his condolences on Sunday.

"I’m heartbroken over the loss of my dear friend, Bill Martin, who died Sunday after being struck by a driver," Avula wrote. "Bill was a Richmond icon, an historian who worked tirelessly to tell Richmond’s stories in new and lasting ways, with a particular passion for telling the fullness of our City’s complex history, but always pointing us forward."

Rep. Jennifer McClellan wrote: "Bill and I shared a passion for telling a complete history of Richmond and our Commonwealth, even when it was uncomfortable. His passion and joy for his work and community was infectious. While his legacy will live on in the stories he brought to light, he will be dearly missed."

State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg wrote:

"Bill made Richmond a better place. He’s rightfully a local icon. And on top of that he was he a kind, funny, thoughtful man. A true wit! I loved running into him at civic events in Richmond.

"I’m going to miss Bill. Richmond is going to miss Bill. May his memory be a blessing."

This story will be updated at Richmonder.org as further details are available.