Explore Your State History Museum
"A Better Life for Their Children" exhibition
Explore the history of Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America.
![A Better Life for Their Children exhibition A black and white photo of a man and a woman holding a framed portrait of a man and a woman.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_widescreen_590px_breakpoint_/public/HomepageSlider_DBGradient.jpg.webp?itok=Q5f0YvX9)
Announcing a new VMHC book!
Explore Virginia's five regions through objects, letters, diaries, and archival photographs in this illustrated narrative.
![Our Commonwealth: People & Places of Virginia book Our Commonwealth: People & Places of Virginia book on a glossy coffee table with a blue couch in the background.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_widescreen_590px_breakpoint_/public/Our-Commonwealth-Homepage-Slide.jpg.webp?itok=BOiGkl5I)
![Civics Connects A classroom with students seated at desks and a teacher at the front of the room.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_widescreen_590px_breakpoint_/public/HomepageSlider_CivicsConnects%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=KyejF1Gb)
Commemorating America's 250th
The VMHC is leading a multi-year initiative with special events, exhibitions, publications, and more
![A sepia image of an excerpt from the U.S. Constitution](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_widescreen_590px_breakpoint_/public/HomepageSlider_250th_sepia.jpg.webp?itok=X9wW2UrM)
![Our Commonwealth Silhouettes of two people looking at an exhibition of artifacts about Virginia regional history](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/2022-05-14_Grand-Reopening-66.jpg.webp?itok=ziwNJW_Y)
Our Commonwealth
This signature exhibition provides an in-depth, multi-sensory journey through the five major regions of Virginia and features stories and artifacts from across the state to reveal that place is not only about geography, but also the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.
Featured Events
Featuring award-winning speakers, tours, and family activities for all ages and interest levels. To browse all upcoming events, please click through to our calendar.
![Intersecting History Museum Crawl A kaleidoscopic collage of the front of museums with text: Intersecting History Museum Crawl](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Intersecting-History-2022-collage.jpg.webp?itok=VM5fA-Ot)
Intersecting History Museum Crawl
![John Adams portrait John Adams portrait](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/9.24.24_Lecture_Making-the-Presidency_Chervinsky-cover_0.jpg.webp?itok=t6CzXw4V)
Lecture: Making the Presidency
![Library Vault Vault of the library shows a wood floored, wood paneled room with shelves of rare books and paintings.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Library%20Vault%20%2835%29.jpg.webp?itok=qsVx16IW)
Visit the Vault Tours
![Becoming Citizens Students in a classroom watch a teacher at a lecturn.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Becoming%20Citizens%20%287%29_0.jpg.webp?itok=eo__vqRl)
Becoming Citizens
![Small clusters of people sit in a garden](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/2021-05-10_Member-Mondays-VA-House-5.jpg.webp?itok=mnguoYi5)
Member Mondays
![Documentary - Monuments with Blackboards: The Rosenwald Schools of Virginia Screenshot from documentary intro screen shows a house in a grassy, tree-lined field, with text overlaid: Monuments with Blackboards: The Rosenwald Schools of Virginia](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/10.1.24%20-%20Rosenwald%20Documentary_Monuments%20with%20Blackboards.jpg.webp?itok=bxzSD0ov)
Documentary Premiere: Monuments with Blackboards
![First Fridays at VMHC First Fridays for the Whole Family blue banner above yellow icons for food trucks, happy hour, live music, family activities, and museum admission.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/First-Fridays-at-VMHC.jpg.webp?itok=s_d7q1gb)
First Fridays at VMHC
![Library Vault Vault of the library shows a wood floored, wood paneled room with shelves of rare books and paintings.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Library%20Vault%20%2835%29.jpg.webp?itok=qsVx16IW)
Visit the Vault Tours
![A close up sepia toned photo of Eisenhower](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Wilkinson-Lecture-2024_0.jpg.webp?itok=KkMGqgfT)
J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr. Lecture: The Light of Battle
![Virginia Cider Apple crates filled with red apples and white text overlaid that says "A guide from colonial days to craft's golden age"](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/10.17.24_Lecture_Virginia-Cider.jpg.webp?itok=dQX983iB)
Lecture: Virginia Cider
![Wanted poster advertising a $2,800 reward](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/October%20CUC%20-%20Broadside.1912.6_v1%20crop2.jpg.webp?itok=1Gbi78Hv)
Collections Up Close: Tales of Murder and Mayhem
![Wanted poster advertising a $2,800 reward](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/October%20CUC%20-%20Broadside.1912.6_v1%20crop2.jpg.webp?itok=1Gbi78Hv)
Collections Up Close: Tales of Murder and Mayhem
![Fall Homeschool Open House A child plays with a large LEGO model of a ship](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/10.23.24_Open%20House_Lego_Child%20interacting%20Maersk.jpg.webp?itok=DkOhZ5Wb)
Fall Homeschool Open House
![Library Vault Vault of the library shows a wood floored, wood paneled room with shelves of rare books and paintings.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Library%20Vault%20%2835%29.jpg.webp?itok=qsVx16IW)
Visit the Vault Tours
![Trick or Treat at VMHC A group of children in Halloween costumes pose for a photo on a grassy field in front of the museum](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Trunk%20or%20Treat%202023.jpg.webp?itok=dtNb9tg0)
Trick or Treat at VMHC
![Virginia Vines A photo of four smiling people standing in front of the museum holding wine glasses](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Virginia%20Vines%20%287%29_0.jpg.webp?itok=YYNMV8F0)
Virginia Vines
![First Fridays at VMHC First Fridays for the Whole Family blue banner above yellow icons for food trucks, happy hour, live music, family activities, and museum admission.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/First-Fridays-at-VMHC.jpg.webp?itok=s_d7q1gb)
First Fridays at VMHC
![Lego Workshop A Lego depiction of a Richmond street scene with row houses and murals](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Lego-Build-examples2.jpg.webp?itok=5EwqRvQn)
Build Workshop with LEGO® Bricks
![Library Vault Vault of the library shows a wood floored, wood paneled room with shelves of rare books and paintings.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Library%20Vault%20%2835%29.jpg.webp?itok=qsVx16IW)
Visit the Vault Tours
![Mayor Doug Wilder (cropped) Man holding up two fingers and smiling in front of a microphone.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Mayor%20Doug%20Wilder%20%28cropped%29.png.webp?itok=C9_JN_Lh)
Lecture: Strong-Arm Politics in Virginia’s Capital City
![Lego Workshop A Lego depiction of the UVA Rotunda](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Lego-Build-examples1.jpg.webp?itok=Kumy1BeO)
Build Workshop with LEGO® Bricks
![Library Vault Vault of the library shows a wood floored, wood paneled room with shelves of rare books and paintings.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Library%20Vault%20%2835%29.jpg.webp?itok=qsVx16IW)
Visit the Vault Tours
![Lecture: Scientist Turned Spy Text: Conspiracy of 1793 | Spy](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/12.5.24_Lecture_Scientist-Turned-Spy.jpg.webp?itok=2u-o9g8j)
Lecture: Scientist Turned Spy
![First Fridays at VMHC First Fridays for the Whole Family blue banner above yellow icons for food trucks, happy hour, live music, family activities, and museum admission.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/First-Fridays-at-VMHC.jpg.webp?itok=s_d7q1gb)
First Fridays at VMHC
![In Crime: Charles Cowlam's Masquerades in the Civil War Era & Gilded Age Tan background and text in white: In Crime: Charles Cowlam's Masquerades in the Civil War Era & Gilded Age](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/12.12.24_Lecture_Career-in-Crime_web.jpg.webp?itok=xVTdnaG5)
Lecture: Career in Crime
![Lafayette Bicentennial Farewell Tour Dinner Two historic reenactors](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/1.25.25_Lafayette%20Bicentennial%20Farewell%20Tour%20Dinner_web.png.webp?itok=cfFeyi5e)
Lafayette Bicentennial Farewell Tour Dinner
![You'll Do: A History of Marrying for Reasons Other Than Love Book cover for You'll Do: A History of Marrying for Reasons Other Than Love](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/8.18.jpg.webp?itok=_iQxZCzo)
Lecture: You’ll Do: A Southern History of Marrying for Reasons other Than Love
![Lecture: A Perfect Frenzy Text overlaid on a burning page: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis that Spurred the American Revolution](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/2.6.25_Lecture_A-Perfect-Frenzy_web.jpg.webp?itok=hhNeuBx3)
Lecture: A Perfect Frenzy
![St. John's Church A white steepled church in a grassy lawn with flowering trees.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/VA%20Journeys%20Feb%202025.JPG.webp?itok=9ZX2-uRg)
Virginia Journeys: Patrick Henry
![John Trumbull: Painter of the Revolution Portrait of John Trumbull: Painter of the Revolution](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Christian-Lecture-2025_Glorious-Lessons_Brookhiser_web.jpg.webp?itok=xcQxW3AU)
Stuart G. Christian, Jr. Lecture: Glorious Lessons
Featured Collections Items
The VMHC has a collection of more than 9 million items. Here are just a few them (please note that not all of them may be on display to the public). Search the Library or Museum Objects Collections databases to learn more.
![Arthur Ashe's tennis gear Tennis raquet, sports bag and shoes - belonged to Arthur Ashe](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/2005.326.1-3_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=iQtjP8kA)
Tennis Items, Arthur Ashe
Tennis racquet,bag, and wrist band, all belonged to Arthur Ashe.
![Natural Bridge in Snow pastel drawing of Natural Bridge in snow](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/NaturalBridge.1994.26.2_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=Io84V2gK)
Drawing, Natural Bridge
Pastel drawing depicting Natural Bridge in Snow by George Brewerton in 1872.
![George Washington Oil painting of George Washington in uniform](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/George.Washington.1905.10_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=u-K6G7CW)
Painting, George Washington
Portrait in oils of George Washington by Charles Peale Polk, nephew of Charles Willson Peale, whose 1787 portrait of the general was the basis for this image.
![Bowie Knife Bowie knife and sheath. Clip-point steel blade. he knife bears the following mark on left side of blade: "G WOSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS / SHEFFIELD" (at left) and "THE REAL I XL KNIFE / THE HUNTERS COMPANION" (at right). The text of "THE REAL / I XL / KNIFE" is split between three small ribands. The knife also bears the following mark at the left ricasso: "I*XL".](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/JohnBrownBowieKnife.1983.31_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=lurZg5Ao)
Bowie Knife
Bowie knife taken from John Brown at Harper's Ferry in 1859 by J.E.B. Stuart.
![Desk Desk, slant-front. Eastern Virginia, probably Richmond, based on Williamsburg prototype. Chippendale slant-front desk with bracket feet.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Desk.1959.28_Open_sil_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=p9jSQdKK)
Desk circa 1780-1805
Chippenale slant-front desk with bracket feet, Eastern Virginia, probably Richmond, based on Williamsburg prototype.
![U.S. Navy WAVE Uniform US Navy WAVE uniform. Navy blue jacket with gold buttons and anchor emblem on collar](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/1995.71.1-18_v2_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=qRkomP2U)
U.S. Navy WAVES Uniform
Complete WAVES uniform from World War II worn by Nancy E. Bailey (Bon Cogsdale).
![Equal Suffrage League Photograph Black and white photograph of women gathered in Capitol Square holding large banners which read "Equal Suffrage League and Richmond, Virginia" and "Votes for Women." Many otes for Women."](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/EqualSuffrageLeague.2002.225.2_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=ki5e8FJM)
Equal Suffrage League of Richmond Photograph
1915 Photograph show a group of women gathered in Capitol Square holding large banners which read "Equal Suffrage League and Richmond, Virginia" and "Votes for Women."
![Program, Virginia State Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference meeting, March 28, 1962 Black and white photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and five signatures (clockwise from top right): Martin L. King, Jr.; Wyatt Tee Walker; Ralph Abernathy; Virgil A. Wood; Curtis W. Harris.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Collection%20Item_SCLC%20Leadership%20Conference_2001.35.1_v1_H3.jpg.webp?itok=GQXRW8Oa)
Program, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, 1962
Program from the Virginia State Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference meeting, includes a black and white photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and five signatures (clockwise from
![Photographic print, No. 3, Pocahontas [train], barrels by Shawsville on its night run to Cincinnati, 1955 Silver gelatin photographic print. Framed. Image depicts Norfolk and Western Train No. 3, the Pocahontas, in a shroud of exhaust with 13 cars of Christmas mail and passengers.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Collection%20Item_Norfolk%20Western%20Train%20No%203%20Pocahontas_OWinstonLink.1990.115_H3.jpg.webp?itok=E9eIhuhm)
Photographic print, No. 3, Pocahontas [train], barrels by Shawsville on its night run to Cincinnati, 1955
Image depicting Norfolk and Western Train No. 3, the Pocahontas, in a shroud of exhaust with 13 cars of Christmas mail and passengers.
![Tintype portrait of Robert Thaxton Tintype portrait of Robert Thaxton (d.1863), in uniform. Thaxton was a Confederate soldier killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia.](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_landscape_590px_breakpoint_/public/Collection%20Item_Robert%20Thaxton_RThaxton.0000.278_H3_0.jpg.webp?itok=3KAxU5gH)
Tintype Portrait of Robert Thaxton
Tintype portrait of Pvt. Robert Thaxton, a Confederate soldier killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May 1863.