Virginia Museum of History & Culture's Top 5 of the Month

Free admission days, a new exhibition, exclusive events, and more this month at the VMHC!

A New Exhibition on the Legacy of the Rosenwald Schools Building Program

The VMHC is preparing for the unveiling of a new exhibition that honors the legacy of a unique school program established to provide educational opportunities for African Americans during the Jim Crow era.

A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America will be on display at the VMHC May 25, 2024-April 20, 2025. The exhibition offers an inspirational journey into the rich history of Rosenwald schools and the transformational impact they had on America. The Rosenwald program was a rural school building program that helped educate Black children during a time of deep racial inequalities in public schools. Some of Rosenwald Schools' most notable alumni include the late congressman John Lewis, poet Maya Angelou, and civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

Learn more.

May Free Admission Days

The VMHC is excited to offer two free admission days to visitors in the month of May.

On Sunday, May 12th, moms can enjoy a special Mother's Day offering with free access to the museum galleries, including the museum’s most recent exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, which is on view now through September 2nd, 2024. To receive free admission, moms can simply check in at the guest services desk when they arrive.

As a sincere token of gratitude and appreciation, this Memorial Day, active duty- military and veterans can enjoy free access to the museum galleries on Monday, May 27th. To receive free admission, active-duty military and veterans can simply check in at the guest services desk when they arrive with a valid ID.

Spring Garden Party at Virginia House

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture hosts its 71st Annual Spring Garden Party at Virginia House on Thursday, May 23, at 6 PM. This very popular event is exclusively for members of the VMHC. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of the Virginia House gardens and celebrate the arrival of spring.

Not a member? There is still time to join and attend the annual extravaganza. Join today at VirginiaHistory.org/Join

Spring Homeschool Open House

Let's get cookin'! Homeschoolers are invited to a FREE open house to view the VMHC's newest exhibition, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, and explore Virginia's food history with activities like a pasta-making demonstration, crafts, scavenger hunts, and more!

The Homeschool Open House is a free event, but registration is required. 

Learn more.

An Evening with Chef Patrick O'Connell

The VMHC, The Inn at Little Washington, and Virginia Tourism Corporation are excited to host an evening with Chef Patrick O’Connell, winner of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chef and Sole Proprietor of The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia’s only three-star Michelin restaurant.

On Wednesday, May 15th, guests of this SOLD OUT event will enjoy a glass of wine and an amuse-bouche as Chef O’Connell, “the Pope of American Cuisine,” discusses his relationship with Julia Child and his own road to culinary greatness in a conversation with VMHC President & CEO Jamie Bosket.

 Following the program, there will be a celebration of the bounty of Virginia, including a variety of small bites and a selection of wines from the Commonwealth’s best vineyards and after-hours access to the Julia Child: A Recipe for Life exhibition.

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