Mary Wingfield Scott (1895-1983)

SA-93

Mary Wingfield Scott is credited with transforming historic preservation in Richmond, her native city. Having earned a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from the University of Chicago, she brought a scholarly approach to the field. She helped found the William Byrd Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (later Preservation Virginia) in 1935, documented Richmond’s historic buildings, and advocated for their protection and adaptive reuse, inspiring generations of preservationists. She also gave lectures, published books and articles, and led tours of historic neighborhoods. Scott bought and restored seven houses here at Linden Row.

Department of Historic Resources, 2022

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References/Bibliographic Citation:

Kay Peninger, “Mary Wingfield Scott: A Rebel with a Rubble Cause” (M.A. Thesis, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011). Winkie: Mary Wingfield Scott (ca. 2010). Frances S. Pollard, “Mary Wingfield Scott (1895–1983),” Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Library of Virginia (1998– ), published 2021. Richmond Times Dispatch, 8, 21, 28 May 1935, 31 Jan. 1980, 10 Aug. 1983.