Museums Archaeology
Virginia

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Archeological Society of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia

Archaeology, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society

This organization of avocational and professional archaeologists is dedicated to the preservation of the past through volunteer activities and public education.

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.

George Washington's Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm
Fredericksburg, Virginia

Archaeology

The mission of George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation is to enhance the public understanding and appreciation of the lives, values, and legacies of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and their families.

Ferry Farm is an active archaeological site. The foundation seeks to determine the location, size, and layout of the Washington farm where George Washington spent his boyhood years.' Museum.History='In 1922, an energetic and far-sighted group of people led by Mrs. Vivian Minor Fleming, rallied the resources to purchase Kenmore, the Fredericksburg house built in 1775 by George Washington’s sister Betty and her husband, Colonel Fielding Lewis.

Henricus Foundation/ Henricus Historical Park
Chesterfield, Virginia

Archaeology, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Natural History, Park, Specialized

This new English settlement would be called “The Commonwealth of Henrico” or “Henricus” in honor of the eldest son of King James I, Prince Henry. The recreated English settlement represents various military, trades, and farming elements of Henricus during the early colonial period from 1611-1622.

Kittiewan Plantation
Charles City, Virginia

Archaeology, History, Historic House

The Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study of archaeology and providing research and education opportunities across the state. Members participate in excavations and host a variety of events designed to promote archeology. Kittiewan Plantation, a Colonial-period plantation house and associated grounds and buildings located in Charles City County, is home to the ASV.

MacCallum More Museum and Gardens
Chase City, Virginia

Arboretum, Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Historic House

The gardens consist of a 5-acre organically maintained arboretum, herb, wildflower, and rose gardens, imported fountains and statuary. The museum houses an extensive permanent Native American artifact exhibit and rotating art shows.

Preservation Virginia
Richmond, Virginia

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

The mission of Preservation Virginia is to preserve, promote and serve as an advocate for the state’s irreplaceable historic places for cultural, economic and educational benefits of everyone.

The Mariners' Museum and Park
Newport News, Virginia

Archaeology, Art, Culture, General, History, Library, Military, Park, Science, Specialized

The Mariners' Museum and Park connects people to the world's waterways through exploration and engaging experiences. The Museum is filled with fascinating stories, captured in priceless artifacts that celebrate the spirit of the open sea. Designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum, The Mariners’ Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime museums in the world.

Virginia Living Museum
Newport News, Virginia

Aquarium, Arboretum, Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Children's, History, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Planetarium

View endangered red wolves. Get up close to a loggerhead turtle and moon jellies. See fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Touch live spider crabs and fossilized dinosaur tracks. It’s all at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, where living exhibits depict Virginia’s natural heritage from the mountains to the sea

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.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
Bristow, Virginia

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.

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Dayton, Virginia

Archaeology, Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Military, Specialized

"Invincible Spirit: History in the Heart of the Shenandoah " tells the history of Rockingham County and Harrisonburg from pre-Columbus times through the present. Here, you can learn which Native American groups utilized the Valley, understand the local impact of our nation's wars, explore a pioneer toolshed, discover what industries fed the pre-Civil War economy, and appreciate the new diversity of our community. And, don't miss the sixteen-foot neon pencil that formerly 'pointed' the way to Service Stationers on Market Street for years. You can pay that old friend - bright as ever - a visit right here at the Heritage Museum.

King William County Historical Society
King William, Virginia

Archaeology, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

The museum contains artifacts from the county of King William County.Other exhibits include photos, statues or descriptions of people in history that contributed to the growth and welfare of the county. Murals, video and timelines tell the story of the county from early 1600s to present day.

Luray Valley Museum
Luray, Virginia

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Children's, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Natural History, Park

The Luray Valley Museum is an intriguing and thorough presentation which celebrates our early Shenandoah Valley culture. Visitors begin the tour at the log Stonyman building which houses an overview of the Valley's history, supplemented with historic documents, decorative arts, items of clothing and artifacts. The museum displays items in chronological delivery from pre-contact Native peoples to life in the bustling 1920s. A 1536 Swiss bible in the German vernacular, the centerpiece of the collection, connects the valley's history and development of the European immigrants who settled the region from Pennsylvania through the ports of the northeast. Natives, Africans and Europeans carved out a life together in the original American frontier.

Museum of Culpeper History
Culpeper, Virginia

Archaeology, Art, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Park, Science

Called a 'mini Smithsonian' by visitors, this community museum strives to become the 'best small community museum in Virginia.' Changing exhibits, fun hands-on interactives, great museum shop.

Ramsay House Visitors Center
Alexandria, Virginia

Archaeology, Culture, History, Historic House, Specialized

Built c. 1724 by William Ramsay, the house is said to have brought down river and barged to its current location in 1749. It now serves as the City's visitor center.

Valentine Richmond History Center
Richmond, Virginia

Anthropology, Archaeology, Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

Formerly known as the Valentine Museum, the Valentine Richmond History Center is the only organization dedicated to documenting Richmond's dynamic history and is playing a key role in revitalizing downtown Richmond.

York County Historical Committee
Yorktown, Virginia

Archaeology, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Park

York County was originally named Charles River, and was one of the eight original shires formed in 1634. The present name was given in 1643, probably in honor of James, Duke of York, the second son of Charles I. Its area is 123 square miles, and the county seat is Yorktown.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

Wednesday, September 10 - Saturday, September 13, 2025

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hosted by: American Association for State and Local History

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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