1. Exhibitions
  2. Current Exhibitions

See What's Currently On Display

   

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A man and girl view an exhibition case in the Story of Virginia gallery

Current Exhibitions

During our 18 month construction project, a limited number of galleries remain open. We invite you to come in to see our signature exhibition, The Story of Virginia now and look forward to welcoming you to tour double the exhibition space when we fully reopen in Spring 2022. 

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capABLElogo.jpg

Mini Exhibition: Capable

Open Now

This display features the remarkable stories of young adults with diverse abilities, demonstrating how our entire community thrives when the disability community is included.
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Two curators examine an artifact

Partners in History

Open Now

In 2019, the VMHC and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) began a long-term partnership to share collections and resources to connect more people to the story of Virginia. The Partners in History exhibition explores how two historical organizations can collaborate to offer a more complete understanding of our past as a source of inspiration for the future.
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Valley & Ridge - "The Passing Storm, Shenandoah Valley" by Alexis Fournier, 1924

Landscapes of Virginia

Open Now

An exhibition of diverse landscape paintings that showcase the variety of terrain and climate that characterize Virginia’s distinct geographical regions.
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Story of Virginia Gallery in VMHC. View shows colonial portraits in background and glass cases in foreground

The Story of Virginia

Open Now

This exhibition interprets 16,000 years of Virginia history and features more than 500 artifacts, maps, letters, and diaries.
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Building with All In Together banners on display and steps covered in blue graphic

Other Exhibitions and Displays

In addition to our long term and changing exhibitions, the VMHC has a number of smaller exhibitions and displays both inside and outside the museum.

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Book A Group Tour

For groups of 10 or more, schedule a guided tour with a museum educator or select a self-guided tour to view the museum at your own pace.

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Book a Field Trip

School groups love to experience the museum in person. Our education staff hosts students from elementary through high school with age appropriate tours. 

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Distance Learning

Our award-winning HistoryConnects programs provide the opportunity to experience a museum educator-led program from any distance for both students and lifelong learners.

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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. 

Library Catalog
Museum Objects Catalog
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Tennis raquet, sports bag and shoes - belonged to Arthur Ashe

Tennis Items, Arthur Ashe

Tennis racquet,bag, and wrist band, all belonged to Arthur Ashe.
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pastel drawing of Natural Bridge in snow

Drawing, Natural Bridge

Pastel drawing depicting Natural Bridge in Snow  by George Brewerton in 1872.
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Oil painting of George Washington in uniform

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. 
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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".

Bowie Knife

Bowie knife taken from John Brown at Harper's Ferry in 1859 by J.E.B. Stuart.
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Desk, slant-front. Eastern Virginia, probably Richmond, based on Williamsburg prototype. Chippendale slant-front desk with bracket feet.

Desk circa 1780-1805

Chippenale slant-front desk with bracket feet, Eastern Virginia, probably Richmond, based on Williamsburg prototype. 
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US Navy WAVE uniform. Navy blue jacket with gold buttons and anchor emblem on collar

U.S. Navy WAVE Uniform

Complete WAVE uniform from World War II worn by Nancy E. Bailey (Bon Cogsdale).
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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."

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." 
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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.

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
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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.

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.
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Tintype portrait of Robert Thaxton (d.1863), in uniform. Thaxton was a Confederate soldier killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia.

Tintype Portrait of Robert Thaxton

Tintype portrait of Pvt. Robert Thaxton, a Confederate soldier killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May 1863.
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Silver medal inscribed on obverse, " The King of" and on the reverse "Machotick," [Machodoc], with both sides engraved with flowers and cornucopia.

Medal, Indian Badge

A 1661 act of the Virginia General Assembly forced the Chief of the Machodoc—and all the leaders and warriors of Virginia’s Indegenous people-to wear these badges while in English settlements. 
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