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Topics & Time Periods
Learn about an array of topics and nearly 16,000 years of Virginia history through collections objects, historical articles, videos, and more.
Topics & Time Periods
![Detail of a map showing coastline with two ships and a whale Detail of a map showing coastline with two ships and a whale](/sites/default/files/styles/fp_widescreen_590px_breakpoint_/public/Map.F221.1651.1_1920x1440.jpg.webp?itok=VcAwbtmi)
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The Story of Virginia Interactive Timeline
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is pleased to present our interactive Story of Virginia timeline. The timeline brings together digitized primary sources from our collection and the Library of Congress, including text, audio, and video that places Virginia's story within the greater framework of the history of the United States.
Featured Topics Spotlight
![Victory Gardens Woman holdig a pot wearing a patriotic dress on the cover of a Victory Gardens promotional brochure](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/VictoryGardens_SB321.N3.1919.Cover_1920x1080.jpg.webp?itok=d9VZ75U_)
Victory Gardens
First promoted during World War I, war gardening, or victory gardens, provided American citizens an opportunity to assist with the war effort.
![A woman wearing an apron holds a pot and serving spoon. An orange circle says "The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of Afircan American Cokbooks" by Toni-Tipton Martin](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/The%20Jemima%20Code.jpg.webp?itok=BzcPiw0k)
Inside The Jemima Code
In this Banner Lecture, Toni Tipton-Martin explores more than 150 years of culinary history through African American cooking.
![Cherrystone Oysters](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/VHE_Oysters_Can_half_portrait.jpg.webp?itok=lYNXYzI3)
Oysters in Virginia
Oysters have a long history in Virginia. Learn more about this popular staple, including modern conservation efforts.
Featured Time Period Spotlight
![Robinson House An illustration of a three-story white building in the midst of tall trees](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/Robinson%20House_Richmond.SoldiersHome.2010.1.47.jpg.webp?itok=h035bLaw)
Across Time: Robinson House, Its Land and People
Project curator and author Elizabeth OāLeary shares the multilayered story of this unique architectural structure over centuries, including its individual inhabitants and significant history, science, and art institutions.
![A collage of historical photographs of women A collage of historical photographs of women](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/We%20Cannot%20Be%20Tame%20Spectators%20book%20cover.jpg.webp?itok=9zRlv_x2)
Four Centuries of Virginia Women's History
Historian Cynthia A. Kierner explores the impacts of Virginia women as historical actors and how what weāve learned about their experiences can transform our understanding of Virginia's ever-evolving story.
![Native Southerners book cover detail An illustration of a person wearing a fur headdress and holding a bow and arrow](/sites/default/files/styles/col_6_fp_landscape_384x288/public/Native%20Southerners%20book%20cover.jpg.webp?itok=xZf6llS2)
Native Southerners: The Indigenous People Who Made and Remade the South
Historian Gregory D. Smithers brings the world of Native southerners to life in this sweeping narrative of American Indian history in the Southeast from the time before European colonialism to the Trail of Tears and beyond.
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.