"In the Beginning, all America was Virginia."
William Byrd II
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Discover Charles Peale Polk's painting of George Washington.

George Washington

The Virginia Historical Society

Discover Virginia’s rich and unique history by planning a visit to our research library, attending an event, or exploring one of our newly renovated exhibition galleries.

Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times opens in October 2015. Purchase your tickets for this special exhibition today.

The VHS has a wide range of upcoming exhibitions, including "Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times."
Find out more about Upcoming Exhibitions
Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times
Find something for the history lover in your life in the VHS Pusey Museum Shop.
Find out more about Pusey Museum Shop
Pusey Museum Shop

“A Must See For Virginia and American History”

Get closer to your history

Our newly renovated galleries are free and open to the public. Current exhibitions include the Story of Virginia, Memorial Military Murals by Charles Hoffbauer and Landscapes of Virginia.

The gallery renovation is one part of our $38 million Story of Virginia Campaign, of which more than $35.2 million has been committed.

Virginia House was formerly an English manor house that was relocated to Richmond in 1925.
Find out more about Virginia House
Virginia House
Features twenty-one landscape paintings that reveal the variety of terrain and climate that charecterizes Virginia's five distinct physical regions
Find out more about Landscapes of Virginia
Passing Storm (1996.172.2)

“Great visit for the entire family”

Access to your history

The collections are available online and in our reading room for researchers, genealogists, educators, and students to use. From fossils to 21st century documents and artifacts, explore your history today.

Unknown No Longer is a database of the names of all the enslaved Virginians that appear in our unpublished documents.
Find out more about Unknown No Longer: A Database of Virginia Slave Names
Unknown No Longer
Search the VHS collection and explore the wide range of items we hold.
Find out more about Search the collections
Search the Collections

“Great Library and Exhibits”

Discover something new

With an active calendar of events with something for all ages and a wealth of online features, especially our Virginia History Explorer, there are plenty of ways to connect with your history.

The VHS offers several different types of membership to meet your needs.
Find out more about Membership
Membership
The VHS hosts many social events that are intended to bring family and community together.
Find out more about Social events
Gingerbread Tea