The best museums in Richmond

What is it?
A Civil War museum sitting on the site of the historic iron works on the bank of the James River.

Why should you go?
The Civil War was one of the defining events in American history, and Richmond was at the very heart of it, both as the capital of the Confederacy and as an industrial center. The Tredegar is just the perfect place to house a comprehensive collection dedicated to the Civil War: this factory produced more than half of the cannons used by the Confederacy, and you can still see a few artillery pieces onsite.

The museum occupies the newer building adjacent to the old factory. The exhibition is focused on the period from the beginning of the Civil War to Reconstruction and beyond and features hundreds of original items, documents and images, and multimedia exhibits. Learn more about it with our walking tour of downtown Richmond.

Specialization
Civil War history

Perfect for
American history buffs and fans of industrial architecture

What is it?
A museum dedicated to America’s foremost Gothic Horror author.

Why should you go?
Located in the mid-18th century Old Stone House, the oldest residential building in Richmond, this museum commemorates Poe’s life and legacy. It is home to the world’s most extensive collection of Poe memorabilia, documents, manuscripts, images, and even clothes and furniture.


Although the writer never lived in the house, his Richmond home and The Southern Literary Messenger, where he worked,were just a few blocks away. Bricks and granite from the latter were used to build a shrine to Poe that opened in 1922 and saw H.P. Lovecraft, Henry Miller, and Salvador Dalí amongst its early visitors. The museum complex also includes the Enchanted Garden, inspired by one of the author’s poems, home to two black cats, honoring Poe’s love of felines.

Specialization
Biographical museum + literary heritage

Perfect for
Fans of Gothic stories

What is it?
Free medical museum sitting on the site of a Civil War-era hospital amidst former battlefields.

Why should you go?
This small yet one of the most exciting Richmond museums is located on the site of the Chimborazo Hospital, that functioned between 1862 and 1865 to treat the injured Confederate soldiers. Around 78,000 people overall were admitted to the facility that was reportedly one of the largest, best-organized, and most sophisticated hospitals in the whole Confederacy (it even had its own brewery!).

This museum hosts an informative exhibition of the typical medical equipment, uniforms, and documents of the era. So if you ever wondered how surgery was performed in the mid-19th century and what kind of anesthesia they used, this is the place to find out. Plus, the surrounding Richmond National Battlefield Park is worth exploring on its own.

Specialization
Civil War history + history of medicine + park

Perfect for
Field surgery enthusiasts

What is it?
What is it? Richmond art museum with a large and diverse collection and always free admission.

Why should you go?
The VMFA dates back to 1936 and is considered one of the largest art museums in the US space-wise. It is located in the leafy, elegant, and pedestrian-friendly Museum District and is one of the most popular museums in Richmond.

Inside the galleries of its English Renaissance-style building, you’ll come across a wide range of artworks from every corner of the world. Among the most exciting exhibits on display are the largest public collection of Fabergé eggs outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco decorative arts outside of Paris, and one of the greatest collections of American art in the country.

Specialization
Fine art

Perfect for
Art connoisseurs

What is it?
Free history museum presenting the story of the Holocaust via period artifacts and personal accounts of the victims.

Why should you go?
Now, let’s shift away from the Civil War and the history of Virginia, shall we? Another history museum that is worth visiting in Richmond is dedicated to the Shoah and seeks to tell its visitors about one of the greatest genocides of the 20th century, speaking about the inherent dangers of prejudice and indifference.

The somber exhibition features original artifacts, installations, and memorials. The core exhibit is organized chronologically and includes over 300 items, as well as excerpts from personal testimonies of the local Holocaust survivors, recreating the history of the persecution of European Jews as it unfolded.

Specialization
WWII and the Holocaust history

Perfect for
European history aficionados

What is it?
Museum celebrating the history of Black and African Americans in the state of Virginia.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1981, the BHMVA occupies a two-story castle-like red brick building of a 19th-century armory in historic Leigh Street. The first-floor galleries of the museum house permanent exhibitions concentrating on the periods of Emancipation, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, Desegregation, Massive Resistance, and the Civil Rights era. The educational and interactive child-friendly part of the collection is also based here. The second floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions, with an emphasis on contemporary art.

A great place to learn about the local and national Black experience for the whole family, this quaint museum also has a nice cafe.

Specialization
Black and African American history and culture

Perfect for
American history buffs

What is it?
Home to a major collection dedicated to the entire history of Virginia.

Why should you go?
The VMHC is the place to go in Richmond should you wish to learn all about the 16,000-year-old history of Virginia. With more than 9 million items both on display and in its repository, this comprehensive museum dates back to 1831 and hosts a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as educational events.

Virtually all geographical areas and topics are covered here: from the Civil War and the plight of the Confederacy to slavery and the Black struggle for emancipation, from kids’ experiences throughout Virginia’s history to the state’s role in the Space Race in the 20th century — the collection is multifaceted and must-see indeed.

Specialization
History museum

Perfect for
Local history enthusiasts

What is it?
An interactive space full of exhibits for kids to explore, play with, and learn.

Why should you go?
If you’re in Richmond with the little ones, chances are they’re not that interested in the history of the Civil War or fine art. Gotta do something for those kids, though, right? The children’s Museum is the place to take the youngest members of the family.

Here, it’s all about learning through play, indoors and outdoors and bonding with the family members in the process. There’s a whole lot of hands-on interactive exhibits and experiences: an art studio and a carousel, a little farm and a living tree house, a hospital with an X-ray center and an ambulance with a siren and lights, and even a space travel simulator.

Specialization
Children’s museum

Perfect for:
Families with kids younger than 10

What is it?
Historic house museum, the former home of the fourth Chief Justice of the United States and Founding Father John Marshall.

Why should you go?
The walking tour of downtown Richmond includes, among other historic sites, this house that is located in Court End, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Built in 1790, it was the residence of John Marshall, known as the ‘Great Chief Justice’ for his role in creating the modern Supreme Court, where he served from 1801 until his death in 1835.

The Federal-style brick building was home to Marshall, his family, and between 8 and 16 enslaved servants. While exploring the house and its period interiors, you’ll get to learn about the importance of this key figure in American history and the reasons he is considered to be one of the most influential justices ever. You’ll also explore more mundane details of the life of different house’s residents, including the local Black servants.

Specialization
Biographical museum + landmarks

Perfect for
American history buffs

What is it?
The first museum in Richmond dedicated to preserving and highlighting local history.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1898, this downtown museum is focused on Richmond’s centuries-old history and seeks to present it via a combination of permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, walking tours, and talks, targeting all social groups — from students to teachers, from kids to adults, and from tourists to residents.

The museum features a sizeable and unique collection of objects, papers, and textiles that document Richmond’s complex history. Its general collection includes over 900,000 objects: locally-made furniture, works of fine art by and of Virginians, industrial artifacts (such as items from Richmond’s tobacco industry, and a neon sign collection featuring local and national trademarks), fancy dress and uniforms, and many more.

Specialization
History of Richmond

Perfect for
Local history enthusiasts