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Major Exhibits:
The Story of Virginia , an American Experience (Long-term exhibition)
This multi-gallery exhibition covers 16,000 years of Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present. It features a dugout canoe, a Conestoga wagon, a street car, and the largest collection of Virginia artifacts on long-term display. Virginians at Work (Long-term exhibition)
This long-term exhibition tells the story of how Virginians have made a living and why jobs have changed over time. Focusing on people rather than on abstract principles, the exhibition follows four broad categories: "A Colonial Economy (1600-1780)"; "A Commercial Economy (1780-1865)"; "An Industrial Economy (1865-1945)"; and "A Service Economy (1945-2006)." These titles refer to the most dynamic elements of the economy for each period.
Exhibits of 2006:
Quilts of the Old Dominion (Through December 3, 2006 ) Quilts made in Virginia before 1900 and selected by a committee of the Virginia Consortium of Quilters will be on view on a rotating basis. There will be three rotations, each displaying twenty quilts: First Rotation, March 18-May 31, Second Rotation, June 1-August 30, and Third Rotation, September 1- December 3, 2006 .
175 Years of Collecting: A Virginia History Quiz (Through December 30, 2006 )
Collecting has been a vital function of the Virginia Historical Society from the beginning, with the first donations announced at the first annual meeting in 1833. Historically, most items have come to the VHS by gift or bequest, but some are purchased with special endowed funds targeted for the acquisition of specific types of materials. Some of the items in the exhibit are unique treasures, for example, George Washington's personal diary from 1790-91, Thomas Hariot's account of the Lost Colony, a chair Dolley Madison bought in France (pictured here), and the 1693 map of the Eastern Shore. Only a small fraction of our vast holdings could be presented in this exhibition. Items were chosen for a variety of reasons, including their appropriateness for the question-and-answer quiz format of this exhibition
Pierre Daura's Vision of Virginia ( September 16, 2006-January 14, 2007)
In tribute to Pierre Daura, the Virginia Historical Society will present a long-overdue exhibition of his Virginia works. The title and theme of the show are taken from the artist's statement, "It seems to me . . . an important contribution to help . . . people discover the beauty of the land where they live. I do not believe we should neglect anything to inspire men with the love of their native soil." The exhibition is large, consisting of 85 works presented in three galleries. Focus is given to Daura's paintings of the landscapes of Rockbridge County and his depictions of the people there and in Lynchburg , where he taught art for many years.
Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend (February-June 2007)
This exhibition examines the life and legend of one of the most beloved and famous of all Virginians-Pocahontas. Despite the familiarity of the Pocahontas story, many questions remain today about this eye-witness to the convergence of two disparate cultures. It must be remembered that what we know of her has been lifted from the narratives of English males, all of whom brought their particular fantasies and prejudices to bear on their representations of the New World and its people. Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend will evaluate both her life and the jarring interaction between cultures that gave it meaning. Presented during the anniversary year of the founding of Jamestown, the exhibition will feature more than 60 objects, including paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculpture, artifacts, books, manuscripts, broadsides, and sheet music. |
Class Trip Programs:
SOL Tours
Tours of our award-winning exhibition, The Story of Virginia , an American Experience , are tailored to meet the requirements of grade-specific Standards of Learning (SOL). Choose a comprehensive tour of the exhibition, or treat a topic in more depth.
Outreach programs
These presentations are delivered in a hands-on fashion using artifact reproductions.
Hands-on History
Our "History Boxes" contain reproductions of artifacts, diaries, letters, documents, and photographs found in The Story of Virginia , an American Experience . Programs include: Pocahontas and the Powhatan Nation; Virginia and the Westward Movement; The Civil War Soldier: A Common Man; The African American Experience; and Teaching with Photographs.
Visit our web site for more information: www.vahistorical.org/education/education.htm
Class Trip Pricing:
Group Admission ( 10 or more visitors) : Students $2, adults $3
Members of the Virginia Historical Society are admitted free of charge.
Outreach programs: $75 per classroom presentation
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