A View from the Inside:
A Behind the Scenes Tour of the Virginia Historical Society
This behind the scenes tour features areas of the Virginia Historical Society not normally open to the public, including the paper conservation lab, museum collections storage, rare book rooms, and manuscripts storage. Tour participants will also get the chance to see unique and interesting items in the VHS collection that are not routinely on display in the museum. The behind the scenes tours will be offered monthly and each tour will be led by a collections curator who will focus on a different theme.
Tours take place on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and cost $10 for VHS members and $17 for nonmembers. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Reservations are required and may be made on the VHS website or in the VHS Museums Shop. No refunds will be given after reservations are made.
To register for tours online, click here. For more information, call 804.342.9676, or email events@vahistorical.org.
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Battle Abbey Centennial
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The cornerstone for the "Battle Abbey of the South"–now home to the VHS–was laid on May 20, 1912. This tour will take visitors behind the scenes (and underground) of the Battle Abbey and explore its design, construction, and modification during the past century. We'll also take a closer look at the ongoing restoration of the "Four Seasons of the Confederacy" murals, which were created between 1913 and 1921 by French painter Charles Hoffbauer. Tour will be led by William M. S. Rasmussen, Lead Curator and Lora M. Robins Curator.
 $10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online
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S.O.S.: Virginia's Shipboard Disasters
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale. . . . From the first attempts to colonize its shores, Virginia and its residents have had a bond with the sea. In this "perilous" journey deep into the VHS archives, we will explore the various objects, books, manuscripts, portraits, and broadsides associated with four hundred years of Virginian's and their struggle with water. Tour will be led by William B. Obrochta, Manager of Educational Services.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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The Artwork in Our Offices
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
One of the advantages of working at the VHS is that staff members are allowed to select from nearly 2,000 pieces of artwork in the collection to hang on their office walls. Take a tour of their offices, meet the staff, and find out what the art on their walls says about them and the VHS. Tour will be led by Andrew H. Talkov, Head of Program Development.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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Music in the VHS Collection
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Virginia's musical contribution to American culture has been diverse and includes every genre from blues to heavy metal. From musical instruments to record players, this tour will explore objects, letters, broadsides, and sound recordings associated with four hundred years of Virginia music. Tour will be led by Chris Van Tassell, Program Coordinator.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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"Forever Free": The Emancipation Proclamation
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, we'll take a look at slavery and emancipation in Virginia. We'll also give a behind-the-scenes look at the process of compiling records for Unknown No Longer: A Database of Slave Names—the latest step by the VHS to increase access to its varied collections relating to Virginians of African descent. Tour will be led by Lauranett L. Lee, Curator of African American History.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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Snapped! Tales of Murder and Mayhem
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What dark secrets hide in the collection of the VHS? Find out on this behind-the-scenes tour as we look at 400 years of murder and mayhem in Virginia. Tour will be led by Andrew H. Talkov, Head of Program Development.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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"We Have Always Been Here": Virginia's Indians
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Did you know that two floors of the VHS headquarters building are leased by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources? As such the building is home to the commonwealth's collection of more than five million archaeological artifacts from more than 850 sites across Virginia. In honor of National Native American History Month, we'll take a look at the objects, books, letters, portraits, and broadsides associated with Virginia's Native American culture, past and present. Tour is led by Dee DeRoche, Chief Curator at Virginia's Department of Historic Resources, and VHS staff.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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"A Day that Will Live in Infamy": WWII at the VHS
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 | Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Although the Second World War was not waged on Virginia soil, it reached into every community and touched every Virginian. More than 300,000 Virginians served in uniform during the war, and 7,000 died. The war also transformed Virginia into a more urban, prosperous, and cosmopolitan state. This tour will explore various objects, letters, and diaries associated with the war's affect on Virginians, both at home and abroad. Tour is led by Greg Hansard, Senior Web Resources Officer.
$10/VHS members; $17/nonmembers
Register online |
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428 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220 | Mail: P.O. Box 7311, Richmond, VA 23221-0311 | Phone: 804.358.4901
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