top of page

"Thomas Day's furniture and millwork are  complexities that straddle a wide range of racial, social, and artistic lines."

- from Winterthur Portfolio.  A Journal of Material Culture 

Thomas Day (c. 1801 - 1865) was a furniture craftsman and cabinetmaker in MiltonCaswell County, North Carolina. Born a free black man in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, Day moved to Milton in 1817 and became a highly successful businessman, boasting the largest and most productive workshop in the state during the 1850s. 

 

Located in Historic Petersburg, Thomas Day House, also known as Hudson-Day House sits as a true testament to craftsmanship. Owned by Bill Nicholson, the restoration of this house has made the legacy of Thomas Day come to life through its stunning architecture and collection of furniture made by Thomas Day. 

Originally located in South Boston, VA, the house was built in 1827 and faced the threat of demolition in the 1990's. Determined to save the house despite its challenges, historian Bill Irvin disassembled and relocated the house 100 miles away to Petersburg where it sat empty for 15 years until purchased by Bill Nicholson in 2019.

 

Since then, Nicholson has been determined to showcase the craftmanship and design of Thomas Day, specifically through woodwork, by using as much original material as possible. Some highlights of the restoration have included the 2-story porches and columns, doors, windows, wooden newels, and mantles. But his work hasn't ended with the transformation of the house. Nicholson has since dedicated his efforts to collecting original works of Thomas Day, featuring complete collections within the home. 

Stay up to date with recent projects and collections on Facebook. 

Thomas Day House 
225 High Street
Petersburg, Virginia, 23803

© 2023 by Thomas Day House. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page