Meet Martin Townes: Heritage, Heart, and History at Virginia’s State Capitol!

Meet Martin Townes, a legacy in his own right.

The Townes name may invoke recognition in both political and historical circles of the Commonwealth of Virginia. But Martin, though a more "recent" Townes at the Capitol, has already solidified the moniker of legacy in his own right.

And that's not just my opinion. In 2025, he was featured in Virginia Living Magazine, he's got a ton of followers on Instagram (how I reached out to him!), and once I met him, I quickly realized how many people I knew already knew him.

When he offered to take me around the Capitol for me to see it through his eyes and historical experience, I jumped in a car with my other half and got myself to Richmond.

And wow. This amazing human spent several hours sharing his passion for both Virginia and for preserving history with us. Truly, I couldn't be more grateful.

I won't try to summarize Martin in an introductory paragraph. Instead, I'll let his own words do his story the justice it deserves. I give you: my interview of Martin Townes.

Let's step into his world.

Entrance to Virginia's Executive Mansion, Richmond

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Question 1: Tell us about your role at the Executive Mansion.

I am one of two Deputy Butlers at the Executive Mansion, I am also the Executive Mansion Historian.

As butler, it is my job to manage the Executive Mansion of Virginia. I have to set up the receptions and formal dining events, I deliver three meals a day to the First Family outside of formal dining events.

When there are pets I, and or other members of the household, will feed and walk family dogs, whenever there are maintenance issues I will contact the appropriate individuals to address those issues.

I pick up groceries for the First Family and the Mansion Chef, I pick up dry cleaning, I deliver packages and memos to the Governor, I have to purchase wine and other spirits for the receptions. I maintain receipts, answer emails and texts, and I do all this in coordination with the Mansion Director, Head Butler, Chef and First Gentleman (in the past First Ladies).

Butlers are also the supervisors of the maids and part time staff that come in to assist with events.

In my role as Mansion Historian I give tours, I set up some of the displays within the mansion, and I update docents on recent acquisitions.

Author's note: Martin knows his stuff! He's a solid expert on paintings, objects, photographs, and even architectural detail sharing our Virginia history at the Executive Mansion and around Capitol Square. His role as Mansion Historian may look "short" on paper laid out in comparison to the butler role, but it's intense and his knowledge is deep!



Doorknob at entrance, credit: Tom McAuliffe

Question 2: Please share a little bit about your father and the legacy of your family serving our Commonwealth at Virginia's Executive Mansion.

The Townes Family have served at the Executive Mansion for over 40 years with three generations represented.

The first Townes to work at the mansion was my uncle Theodore "Tony" Townes, Tony worked for Governors Robb and Baliles and served as Butler, Chef, Pastry Chef and Florist.

Tony left the mansion to serve at the private residence of the Robb family and he continues to serve them to this day.

After Tony left my grandmother Doris Townes Fleming took over as the mansion chef and my father Martin "Tutti" Townes became the head butler. Grandma Doris worked for Governors Baliles, Wilder, and Allen.

Tutti has worked for every governor from Robb to Youngkin for a total of 11, he also worked for a former governor outside of the mansion. At some point my grandmother was a widow and she ended up marrying a butler who served at the mansion long before the Townes family, a man named William Fleming.

Doris Townes Fleming & Tutti Townes

I do not know how many governors William Fleming served but I do know that he was at the mansion when Anne Holton was a child living at the mansion when her father Linwood Holton was governor. Anne Holton would grow up to be First Lady of Virginia when her husband Tim Kaine was governor.

The Kaines came to both William Fleming and Doris Townes's memorial services.

Tutti Townes's current wife Stephanie Townes (formerly Hudson), was a mansion maid and in recent years she worked part time assisting during mansion receptions and formal meals. Tutti's twin brother Marvin "Billy" Townes also served at the mansion part time, assisting during mansion functions.

We have a cousin named Janet "Doodle" Coleman who served as the assistant cook to Doris Townes Fleming.

I came to the mansion during Ralph Northam's second year in office and my sister Cherry Townes has been here since the Northam years as well, serving on a part time basis.

Reid's Row formerly Morson's Row: one of those three row houses is dedicated to the Townes family and is known as The Townes House. The Townes Family were also featured on the front cover of Richmond Family Magazine in 2025.

Entry hall, Executive Mansion, November 2025 visit

Question 3: What would surprise readers to know about the Mansion- or the Capitol Building?

• The Executive Mansion of Virginia is the oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the 50 United States.
• The Capitol Rotunda holds the most accurate depiction of George Washington in sculpture, the famous Houdon statue.
• The Virginia State Capitol was featured in Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" movie.

Question 4: What is one of your most memorable moments at our Capitol?

In recent years I was given the opportunity to see above the false dome that you see in the Capitol Rotunda.

Question 5: You took us on a truly one-of-kind tour of Capitol Square. What is your favorite statue, monument, marker, or spot on the Square? Why?

I absolutely love the entirety of the Virginia Washington Monument but if I had to choose one specific sculpture/statue it would be the allegorical female character that sits in front of Patrick Henry's statue; the one labeled REVOLUTION.

I love the details, the sword aimed down at the crushed crown underneath her foot. Reminds me of the Sic Semper Tyrannis imagery in our state seal.

Virginia Washington Monument

Question 6: Being an integral part of VA 250 and a member of the Board of Historic Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia must be extraordinary! Please tell us what you're most excited about for 2026 and beyond.

It is amazing to think that our powerful young nation is on the eve of its 250th birthday. I am excited because the whole 250 movement has captured the hearts of many people in a way that only an anniversary event could achieve.

Many people are actively visiting historic sites relevant to the revolutionary year. I myself have visited Monticello and Poplar Forest twice in recent years, not to mention a visit to Yorktown this past summer.

In my opinion we are blessed to inherit this nation, a place that many seek refuge in and most even if critical of our nation have no desire to leave it, that tells me that we have a special inheritance here, one worthy of study, appreciation and preservation.

This appreciation of our history will carry us all the way to the 275th and beyond. The Virginia 250 Commission (VA250) has a calendar full of events to attend this year with a big celebration planned at Yorktown this 4th of July, here is the link to the VA250 calendar of events.

Four generals statue, Yorktown riverfront

Question 7: If there's one piece of knowledge or advice you'd like readers to walk away with about preserving and understanding history, what would it be?

Try not to allow current world sensibilities or lack thereof to cause you to irrationally react to an object or site of historic significance.

When we allow our current world views to cause us to react irrationally we get the cultural heritage destruction exhibited in Afghanistan when the Taliban blew up the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan, sculptures that were carved into the mountains centuries ago.

Whatever your views, have the mindset of preservation, allow future generations to appreciate, study and/or critique a said object or site just as you had the opportunity.

Martin with his father's portrait, Martin painted in the background.

Follow Martin on Instagram.

Closing words from history.

From Governor Patrick Henry, first to be elected into this office.

I thought his words appropriate to close out the interview of a man so dedicated to this office and who happened to mention his love of the Henry statue as part of the monument on Capitol Square.

Three excerpts from his reply "To the Hounourable the President and House of Convention:"

"When I reflect that the tyranny of the British king and parliament hath kindled a formidable war, now raging throughout this wide-extended continent, and in the operations of which this commonwealth must bear so great a part;

...

I feel my mind filled with anxiety and uneasiness, to find myself so unequal to the duties of that important office, to which I am called by the favor of my fellow citizens at this truly critical juncture.

...

I shall enter upon the duties of my office, whenever you, gentlemen, shall be pleased to direct; relying upon the known wisdom and virtue of your honorable house to supply my defects, and to give permanency and success to that system of government which you have formed, and which is so wisely calculated to secure equal liberty, and advance human happiness.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient and very humble servant,

P. Henry, Jun."

Citation: Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches, Henry, William Wirt, and Patrick Henry. B. Franklin, 1969. MLA 9th edition, orig. published 1891, Volume 1, pages 447-48.

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources. In the case of interviews, I am sharing the words of the interviewee: their values, beliefs, and interpretation of research, highlighting any notes of my own as mine.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.