The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) brings approximately 16,000 years of Virginia history to life through exhibitions and student programs that build inquiry, primary-source analysis, and civic-learning skills. With a collection of more than nine million items, the museum offers student groups direct access to authentic artifacts and documents rarely found outside archival collections.
More than just a museum, this field trip destination is an epicenter of research and teaching for Virginia’s rich history and culture. With themes and time periods that stretch beyond most museums’ offerings, the museum offers seemingly endless learning opportunities. All student programs, spanning kindergarten through college, are designed around themes commonly found in the classroom, or organizers can request a unique program tailored to a group’s specific needs.
Educational Opportunities
Dive into Women’s History with lessons on women’s role in the war effort of WWII, review personal correspondence, and learn about prominent Virginian women like Clementina Rind. Teach state economics through the lens of transportation with a lesson on railroad history, view a 1920s-era gas pump that kept cars running, and learn about the importance of dugout canoes in colonial times. Learn the savory side of history through food with a spoon that holds a story, the significance of oysters in Virginia, and a look at historical cookbooks.
Across every offering, students engage in content and analysis through hands-on interaction with primary sources, museum artifacts, and exhibits rather than passive observation. The museum highlights multi-sensory exhibits, designed to ignite the curiosity of young minds. Engaged on multiple levels, students are drawn into learning through vibrant visuals, descriptive audio and written works, and hands-on collections throughout the museum.
Featured field trip programs are tailored by age group. Younger students in Pre-K through first grade can enjoy Dressing the Past, which explores historical clothing, and Marvelous Maps, an introduction to geography and history. Fourth- and fifth-graders participate in Virginia Studies programming aligned with state curriculum standards, while secondary students become historians by conducting primary-source investigations and joining the Junior Curators program, which builds research and analytical skills through close work with museum collections.
Educator Resources
The museum also hosts a robust online catalog of free resources including livestreams, digital content, program recordings, and other educational resources. Perfect for a pre-trip classroom exercise, their extensive library of recorded podcasts and renowned speaker lectures cover a wide range of topics. Their civics resources break topics into easily digestible units. Educators can effortlessly download lesson outlines, activities, and slides on topics ranging from citizenship to economics. Their history-based resources offer a wide variety of foundational skills, activities and games, online exhibitions, and a student webinar archive.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture inspires young minds to engage in learning opportunities that will last them a lifetime. With abundant online resources and a hands-on approach to student learning, this museum engages students with history in a productive, fun way. No matter the time period or topic, there is a wealth of knowledge to explore.
