Do you need a digital scan or reproduction?
The VMHC offers many options for researchers, publishers, and the general public.
Library Catalog
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Library Catalog
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture's library collections includes both printed materials, such as books, journals, broadsides and sheet music, and manuscript materials, such as family and personal papers, diaries, company records, military records, and genealogies.
Museum Catalog
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Museum Objects Catalog
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s museum object collection consists of a broad range of materials including paintings, textiles, silver, weapons, militaria, photographs, prints, decorative arts and furniture, and postcards.
Collection Partnerships
The VMHC is proud to partner with other organizations to provide access to a number of special collections focused on particular topics and organizations' holdings.
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The John Marshall Historical Collection
This exciting acquisitions initiative documents the public and private life of the United States’ longest serving chief justice through original manuscripts, estate papers, rare books, painted portraiture, and furnishings.
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Black History Museum & Cultural Center
In partnership, the VMHC catalogs, digitizes, and provides public access to select historical images and artifacts from the BHMVA’s collection. The two organizations have also collaborated on educational resources, virtual programming, and more.
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The Garden Club of Virginia
The VMHC offers a guide to The Garden Club of Virginia Historic Restorations Project which traces the development and contributions of the club's efforts in Virginia.
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American Civil War Museum
In partnership with the ACWM, the VMHC digitizes and provides access to the Confederate Memorial Literary Society Image Collection.
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Reynolds Business History Center
Explore business records from a wide variety of related commercial, economic, legal, labor, and industrial issues.
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Unknown No Longer
This database makes accessible the biographical details of enslaved Virginians from unpublished historical records.
Engage with VMHC Collections
Donate to the Collections
Learn about what types of items are accepted by the VMHC and how to donate to our collections.
Request Collections Loan
The VMHC considers loans to other museums on a case by case basis. Learn about how to request a loan on behalf of your museum.
Share Your Story
We are collecting stories and objects from Virginians across the state. Learn about how you can contribute.
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.
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Tennis Items, Arthur Ashe
Tennis racquet,bag, and wrist band, all belonged to Arthur Ashe.
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Drawing, Natural Bridge
Pastel drawing depicting Natural Bridge in Snow by George Brewerton in 1872.
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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
Bowie knife taken from John Brown at Harper's Ferry in 1859 by J.E.B. Stuart.
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Desk circa 1780-1805
Chippenale slant-front desk with bracket feet, Eastern Virginia, probably Richmond, based on Williamsburg prototype.
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U.S. Navy WAVES Uniform
Complete WAVES uniform from World War II worn by Nancy E. Bailey (Bon Cogsdale).
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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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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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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
Tintype portrait of Pvt. Robert Thaxton, a Confederate soldier killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May 1863.
We hope that you will find what you are looking for within our online catalogs or among our Research Resources, but if you are in need of additional assistance, please contact our research team at reference@VirginiaHistory.org or 804.342.9677.