The main camera collection, which is on display, consists of over 150 individual donations. Periodically, we pull cameras from the main collection to form a temporary display of like cameras, such as spy cameras or WWII cameras.

David Schwartz began collecting over 40 years ago. His enthusiasm for photography was the driving force behind what is now a very significant collection spanning the history of photography. His cameras came from many different sources, but they were all gathered with an understanding of how important they were to the history of photography. Unfortunately he could not preserve and display his collection forever. The collection needed a way to carry on through time and stay open to the public. Now the Camera Heritage Museum is taking over the responsibility of showing his collection with a plan to expand the collection and improve its display.

Through the generous cooperation of the staff of the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Mark Tullos, Director: Lee Gray, Curator and Jaymie Lafleur, Registrar: the Camera Heritage Museum was able to acquire the A. Lewis Bernard Vintage Camera Collection of over 900 cameras, accessories and images on January 10, 2012. We are extremely pleased with this collection and hope to have it included in our displays soon. We also would like to thank Wilson Trucking of Fishersville, Va for volunteering their services in making the transfer to Va possible.

Jim McLeod started his photography hobby as the high school photographer in Grandview, Missouri where he took pictures for the local newspaper and school yearbooks. He started collecting Kodak Brownie Cameras in 1995 while on an antique trip with his wife as something to do. He found a book that said there had been some 60 different Kodak Brownie’s built and decided he could collect all of those. During his collecting, he was able to identify approximately 700 different models and collected at least one of every type, which amounted to over 400 different cameras manufactured in 7 different countries, including several rare ones built in Germany during WWII before the US got involved. His collection even grew larger than Kodak’s collection. While collecting Brownies, he also acquired over 1000 pieces of Kodak Memorabilia, which were added to the collection given to the Museum. He became a member of an international Brownie Club and wrote articles for their magazine, and his collection is probably considered in the top 10 Kodak Brownie Collections in the world.

You may have the camera we are looking for.

We offer guided group tours of the collection. The only cost for the tours is the $5 general admission fee and any extra, voluntary donation made by those taking the tour.

We also have a volunteer docent program.

The only facilities we currently posses are the main gallery floor and a storage area which is not open to the public. We are seeking too expand our facilities to include a working darkroom and lecture space.

The Camera heritage Museum showcases many photographers who have lived in the area. The first photographer in the area practiced his art in 1847, just 9 years after the beginning of photography in Paris. The son of one of our local photographers became the White House photographer for presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson; see Barnett Clinedinst. We also showcase Washington Star, LA Times, U.S. Senate, Official White House and President Ronald Reagan's personal photographer, Bernie Boston.

We offer guided tours of the collection. The only cost for the tours is the $5 general admission fee and any extra, voluntary donation made by those taking the tour.

The Camera Heritage Museum is handicap accessible, but does not have public restrooms.

The City of Staunton has on-street, 2 hour parking, but spots can sometimes be hard to find. There is a metered parking lot two blocks from the museum and a free parking lot about half a mile up North Augusta Street.