A man in a suit is seen standing in the archives of a museum. He is surrounded by many pieces of art. — Scott Elmquist
Bill Martin stands in the archives of The Valentine in Richmond, Virginia.

Martin helped foster conversation of Richmond’s history in the community through his work.

Longtime Valentine Director William “Bill” J. Martin died on Dec. 28 after succumbing to injuries from a Richmond car collision Dec. 27.

Martin, who has been with The Valentine for 32 years, was hit by a vehicle on Saturday afternoon while walking downtown, according to a Richmond Police Department press release. He is best known for his leadership in guiding the museum through a troubled period, narrowly avoiding financial collapse in the mid-1990s.

“He was a deeply respected leader, colleague and friend,” acting museum director Meg Hughes wrote in a statement. “His dedication to sharing Richmond’s stories has left an indelible impact on the Valentine and the greater community.”

The museum’s statement indicated it is trying to “ensure continuity of the museum’s work.”

A native of Brandy Station, Va. Martin received a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. He joined the museum in the mid-1990s when it was on shaky financial footing under the weight of an expensive satellite location that barely lasted a year.

Under his watch, the Valentine went from a non-controversial stop on the elementary school field trip circuit to being a museum of Richmond history that grappled with deep questions of the Lost Cause ideology and the monuments that would eventually vacate Monument Avenue.

In a statement released Sunday, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula was “heartbroken” over the loss and called it a “tremendous loss for our community.”

“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,” he said.

VPM CEO Jayme Swain said that Martin was “one of VPM’s greatest champions” for its upcoming downtown move.

“Bill was a Richmond institution, not only in his role leading The Valentine, but also through his deep love for and commitment to strengthening our community – particularly his work to improve Broad Street. We are heartbroken to lose a beloved partner and friend,” Swain said.

Martin is also remembered for preserving modern history, such as keeping the basketball hoop protesters erected in front of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee statue before the monument’s 2021 removal, as well as keeping the archives of Style Weekly, which is owned by the same company as VPM News.

Named Style Weekly’s “Richmonder of the Year” in 2024, Martin helped foster dialogue for a “better tomorrow.”

The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Brent Baldwin, said in an email that Martin’s work was inspirational, “guiding Richmond’s conversations about the city’s complex history at the Valentine.”

“Bill is someone I would always call on when I needed background information on virtually any important city topic. He was so well connected and well liked,” Baldwin said.

“He was hilarious, I will miss his amazing sense of humor.”

VPM News Editor Meghin Moore contributed to this story.

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Longtime director of The Valentine, Bill Martin, dead at 71