Browse Museums

Bacon's Castle

Surry, Virginia

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Cemetery, Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park

Bacon’s Castle was originally home to a prosperous planter, Arthur Allen, and his family. Following Allen’s death, the house was inherited by his son, Major Arthur Allen II. A loyalist supporter of the colonial government and member of the House of Burgesses, Major Allen was driven from his house in 1676 by followers of the patriot rebel Nathaniel Bacon, whose uprising later came to be known as Bacon’s Rebellion. The episode later gave Bacon’s Castle its name though the house remained in the Allen family until 1844.

Bath County Historical Society

Warm Springs, Virginia

Culture, History

The Museum building was originally a law office which was moved from the original courthouse located at the current Warm Springs Inn. The items in the Museum have all been donated by friends of the Society who want to see Bath County history preserved for future generations. These artifacts are of interest to all those who visit, not only the local people, but visitors from all over the world. From antique side saddles, to period clothing, original historic photos, farm implements and tools, Civil War and Indian Artifacts, even a grand piano, there is something here to interest everyone.This Museum and research library is dedicated to presenting and preserving the rich history of Bath County, Virginia.

Bedrooms of America

New Market, Virginia

Art, History

This site includes bedrooms displaying all periods of antique American furniture dating from 1650 to 1930, as well as a gift shop, fine antiques, pottery, glassware, and housewares.

Culture, History

Richmond's museum of Jewish history and culture. The site includes four exhibition galleries with a permanent exhibition "Commonwealth and Community-The Jewish Experience in Virginia"

History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

Volunteers are at the jail each Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for research and shopping, and on other days by appointment.

Culture, History

On April 5, 1856, a child who later called himself Booker T. Washington, was born in slavery on this 207-acre tobacco farm. The realities of life as a slave in piedmont Virginia, the quest by African Americans for education and equality, and the post-war struggle over political participation all shaped the options and choices of Booker T. Washington. Washington founded Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881 and later became an important and controversial leader of his race at a time when increasing racism in the United States made it necessary for African Americans to adjust themselves to a new era of legalized oppression.

Bristol Public Library

Bristol, Virginia

History, Library

The library contains a special collection of local history, including family charts and histories as well as cemetery records.

Burwell-Morgan Mill

Boyce, Virginia

Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Park, Specialized

The Burwell-Morgan Mill, established in 1785, is the oldest operable merchant mill in the Shenandoah Valley. In the mid-nineteenth century the mill operated twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, processing more than sixty thousand bushels of wheat per year. The community of Millwood grew around this commercial center as related businesses were established, and by way of the seaports at Alexandria and Baltimore, mill products were shipped abroad.

Ball-Sellers House

Arlington, Virginia

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society

Donated to the Arlington Historical Society in 1975, this is Arlington's oldest residence. It was built around 1742. It is a rare example of the homes where the working class people of the time lived. It is occupied by a caretaker for the Society and the interior may be seen by calling ahead. The small house - with its original logs, clapboard roof and pegged floorboards - is one room with a loft and an attached lean-to room at the rear. The house was built by John Ball on a 166-acre land grant from Lord Thomas Fairfax and later owned by William Carlin, tailor to George Washington. Three generations of the Carlin family owned the property for more than 100 years. The third generation, brother and sister Andrew and Anne, ran a dairy farm and built the 1880 house that adjoins the Ball cabin.

Bedford City County Museum

Bedford, Virginia

Culture, History

The Bedford City/County Museum building was built in 1895 as a Masonic Temple. This is the only example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Bedford and is impressive with its multi-colored brick, stone archways, terra cotta ornamentation and bay windows. The museum showcases Bedford's history from early native American life through the War Between the States and into the twentieth century. It is also headquarters for the Bedford Genealogical Society and library.

Ben Lomond Historic Site

Manassas, Virginia

Archaeology, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park

Ben Lomond is an antebellum farm that served as a hospital during the Civil War. The home was referenced in many Civil War Era documents as the Pringle House because of the men who lived here in 1861. Many of the soldiers that were brought to the hospital penned their names and brief messages on the walls of the home.

Culture, History

Blue Ridge Institute and Museum

Rocky Mount, Virginia

Culture, History, University

The Institute promotes an understanding of regional folkways among people of all ages and backgrounds. Produces an array of programs and publications - school and public performances, regional surveys of folk music and crafts, video productions, audio recordings, traveling exhibits and online exhibits.

Archaeology, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Nature Centers, Park

The Brentsville site consists of 28 acres with five historic buildings and various archaeological sites. These include the 1822 Courthouse and Jail, the ca. 1830 John Hall Home, ca. 1875 Union Church and the 1928 One Room Schoolhouse and the Brentsville Tavern archaeological site. The site also includes a mile long nature trail highlighting the area’s natural resources.

Brunswick County Museum

Lawrenceville, Virginia

History

The museum houses objects and artifacts as well as exhibitions which reflect the history of Brunswick County. Notable are the Governor Albertus Harrison Jr. Room and a Fort Christianna Display.