Online exhibitions

Alexandria, 1749–1999
Commemorates 250 years of Alexandria history by exploring the character of the town in 1749, 1799, 1849, 1899, 1949, and 1999 view exhibit

American Visions of Liberty & Freedom
Shows how generations of Americans have creatively expressed their sometimes conflicting definitions of liberty and freedom view exhibit

An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia
From 1861 through 1865 Virginia stood at the center of a military and social revolution. How we define freedom, liberty, patriotism, and nation today is directly related to the diverse experiences of the individuals who participated in the war. This exhibition encourages visitors to consider how a single event, separated from us by 150 years, so fundamentally reshaped American society that its impact is still experienced today. What was gained by the Civil War, what was lost, and what is left for us to resolve? view exhibit

Child Labor in Virginia
Presents a series of photographs by social reformer-photographer Lewis Hine that document child labor in Virginia in June 1911 view exhibit

The Civil Rights Movement in Virginia
Chronicles the tumultuous journey from "Jim Crow" to a commonwealth of greater equality view exhibit

The Custis Family Papers: Saving an American Treasure
Contains a sample of the documents in the Custis family papers and describes the process of conserving them view exhibit

Early Images of Virginia Indians
Traces how European perceptions of native Virginians were shaped through the printed image.
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Getting the Message Out: Presidential Campaign Memorabilia from the Collection of Allen A. Frey
Every election has a page dedicated to it and includes memorabilia and a concise summary of the major features of the election. Items in this online exhibition are from the Allen Frey Collection. view exhibit

Lost Virginia: Vanished Architecture of the Old Dominion
Examines the destroyed and forgotten architecture of Virginia, as captured in photographs view exhibit

Michael Miley, General Lee's Photographer
Features some of the most engaging portraits ever made of Robert E. Lee, as well as images of Shenandoah Valley society view exhibit

Old Virginia: The Pursuit of a Pastoral Ideal
Attempts to demystify an evocative term that has been in popular use since 1624 view exhibit

On This Day: Legislative Moments in Virginia History
Highlights memorable events associated with the state legislature view exhibit

Political Campaigning: From the Collection of Allen Frey
Dr. Allen Frey's collection of American presidential campaign materials demonstrates that politicians and campaigns of the past were as vitriolic as they are today.view exhibit

The Sneden Civil War Collection
Highlights an illustrated memoir, including detailed watercolors, maps, and drawings made by a Union private view exhibit

The Story of Virginia, an American Experience
Covers 16,000 years of Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present view exhibit

Treasures Revealed from the Paul Mellon Library of Americana
Presents a selection of rare books, manuscripts, prints, and objects from Paul Mellon's extraordinary collection view exhibit

The Virginia Landscape
Illustrates the importance of the landscape in shaping the commonwealth and creating its identity
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