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Virginia Museum of History & Culture

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) was established in February 2018 by the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia. It is a private, non-profit museum, supported almost entirely by private contributions. The VMHC features exhibitions and programming designed for visitors of all ages. It is the only museum with all of Virginia’s history under one roof—all centuries, regions, and topics are covered. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture has more than 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) of exhibition gallery space and the largest display of Virginia artifacts on permanent view.

Mission
The mission of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, like its parent organization, the Virginia Historical Society, is to connect people to America’s past through the unparalleled story of Virginia.

History
In 2018, after nearly a year of research, community conversations, and strategic planning, the Virginia Historical Society announced a new vision and a new name for its headquarters facility at 428 N. Boulevard in Richmond, Virginia—The Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This change marked a new era of expanded public programming, new exhibitions, and greater activity across the Commonwealth, as the historical society worked to tell a more inclusive story to an even broader audience. The new name was officially announced at a gala marking the opening of two exhibitions celebrating the centennial of World War I: WWI America and The Commonwealth and the Great War.

Exhibitions
The first floor of the museum consists of gallery space for long-term and changing exhibitions.

Programs
The VMHC presents a variety of programs for its membership and the public, including a film series, behind-the-scenes tours, and a series of public and members-only lectures that take place throughout the year. The Created Equal Film Series in honor of former board member Grady W. Powell, is a film and discussion series that focuses on themes related to civil rights, human rights, and social justice in American history. In its Robins Family Forum, also located on the ground floor, the VMHC presents three members-only evening lectures and more than 20 noontime lectures every year that are open to the public. Audio and videos of past lectures are accessible on the museum’s website.

Education
The VMHC offers a wide array of educational programs, especially for students and teachers. These include HistoryConnects (a distance learning program that engages students in their classrooms), guided tours of exhibitions on display at the museum, and workshops and week-long summer institutes for teachers. The Carole and Marcus Weinstein Learning Center on the ground floor offers state-of-the-art classrooms for visiting school groups and a dedicated studio for the HistoryConnects initiative. The VMHC is the official home of the state’s Virginia History Day.

Events
Throughout the year, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture engages its membership and the public with events that celebrate the history of the commonwealth, national holidays (including a naturalization ceremony on July 4th), and exhibition openings.