Museums Virginia
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Bacon's Castle
Surry, Virginia

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Cemetery, Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park

Bacon’s Castle was originally home to a prosperous planter, Arthur Allen, and his family. Following Allen’s death, the house was inherited by his son, Major Arthur Allen II. A loyalist supporter of the colonial government and member of the House of Burgesses, Major Allen was driven from his house in 1676 by followers of the patriot rebel Nathaniel Bacon, whose uprising later came to be known as Bacon’s Rebellion. The episode later gave Bacon’s Castle its name though the house remained in the Allen family until 1844.

Gari Melchers Home and Studio
Fredericksburg, Virginia

Art, Botanical Garden, History, Historic House

Belmont, The Gari Melchers Estate and Memorial Gallery, in Stafford County near Fredericksburg, Virginia, is the former residence of the American figure painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932). The museum consists of the artist's home, studio and gardens. The stone studio and galleries house the largest collection of Melchers' works anywhere. Gari Melchers was one of the most decorated artists of his day. Today he is virtually unknown. His unvarying ambition to reproduce the essential character of a place and its people was the key to his international success, and yet it caused him to be considered old-fashioned by the close of his career.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Richmond, Virginia

Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to bring you the best in horticultural display for each season. The more than 30 acres of gardens includes the Henry M.

MacCallum More Museum and Gardens
Chase City, Virginia

Arboretum, Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Historic House

The gardens consist of a 5-acre organically maintained arboretum, herb, wildflower, and rose gardens, imported fountains and statuary. The museum houses an extensive permanent Native American artifact exhibit and rotating art shows.

Maymont
Richmond, Virginia

Aquarium, Arboretum, Botanical Garden, History, Historic House, Nature Centers, Park, Science, Zoo

A Gilded Age Estate in Richmond, Virginia
. Maymont House Museum
. 100-acre Estate & Park
. Italian & Japanese Gardens
. Arboretum
. Carriage Collection
. Nature Center
. Wildlife Exhibits
. Children's Farm

Step through the gates of Maymont and enter a world of timeless elegance and natural beauty. From 1893 to 1925, it was the home of railroad magnate James Dooley and his wife Sallie. Now a carefully preserved historic landmark, Maymont offers something for everyone - young and old alike.

Tour the Dooleys' opulent residence. Stroll winding walkways with views of panoramic parkland, formal gardens, magnificent century-old trees, and picturesque estate buildings.

Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk, Virginia

Botanical Garden, Nature Centers, Science

The gardens consist of 155 acres of some of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses, and hollies. Tour by boat or trackless train, visit gift shop and café. Daily programs and tours.

The Mansion and Museums at Morven Park
Leesburg, Virginia

Botanical Garden, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Military, Park, Specialized

Built in stages over more than 100 years, Morven Park started as a simple field stone farmhouse in the mid-18th century, and grew to become the grand mansion that it is today through the course of several construction phases. The primary purpose of the closure of the mansion at Morven Park for the last several years has been the preservation of the house in order to protect it and the collection it contains within its walls. Repairs made by Governor and Mrs. Davis, and by the Swann family that preceded them at Morven Park, were fine for a residence of the period, but were no longer sufficient for a modern house museum. This restoration is now complete and the Mansion is open to the public for tours.

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Arboretum, Art, Botanical Garden, Nature Centers, Park, Science, University

The only arboretum and botanical gardens located on a Virginia state university. Beauty awaits visitors to botanical gardens found within the EJC Arboretum. Included in 16 exhibit gardens along over 3 miles of trails through 125 acres of mature Oak-Hickory Forrest, are rare and unusual, or geographically specific species protected at the arboretum. See a shale barren rich with white-haired feather flower, spike moss, hairy lipped fern, and shining sumac. Browse the bog garden. Stroll paths redolent in the bloom of spring bulbs, native azaleas including the rare pinxter flower and flame azalea. See a luxurious display of trailside wild phlox and Virginia bluebell. Breathe deeply while climbing the terraced herb garden.

Hermitage Museum & Gardens
Norfolk, Virginia

Art, Botanical Garden, History, Historic House, Nature Centers, Park

A fine arts museum housed in Tudor style home on 13 acres along the Lafayette River. The Hermitage Foundation Museum is truly a celebration of the arts. Some of the works include Italian and French textiles and laces, English and European ceramics and paintings, hand painted glass from Germany, ivory carvings, Persian rugs, and ritual bronzes and ceramic tomb figures from China.

Luray Valley Museum
Luray, Virginia

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Children's, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Natural History, Park

The Luray Valley Museum is an intriguing and thorough presentation which celebrates our early Shenandoah Valley culture. Visitors begin the tour at the log Stonyman building which houses an overview of the Valley's history, supplemented with historic documents, decorative arts, items of clothing and artifacts. The museum displays items in chronological delivery from pre-contact Native peoples to life in the bustling 1920s. A 1536 Swiss bible in the German vernacular, the centerpiece of the collection, connects the valley's history and development of the European immigrants who settled the region from Pennsylvania through the ports of the northeast. Natives, Africans and Europeans carved out a life together in the original American frontier.

Matthews Living History Farm Museum
Galax, Virginia

Botanical Garden, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park

The Matthews Living Farm Museum was formed to preserve the unique history of the Grayson County, Virginia region of Applachia.

The 1900 time period Museum preserves this heritage and fosters an understanding and appreciation of the resourceful and innovative people in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mill Mountain Zoological Park
Roanoke, Virginia

Arboretum, Botanical Garden, Children's, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Science, Zoo

Mill Mountain is a 3.5-acre zoo, exhibiting over 55 species of mammals, birds and reptiles including: Siberian Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Pandas, Japanese Macaques, bald eagle and much more. Special events and educational programs year round, picnicking, wildflower garden, café, Zoochoo train buses seasonal. AZA accredited

Rockbridge Historical Society
Lexington, Virginia

Art, Botanical Garden, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

The Rockbridge Historical Society is a repository for much of the history of Rockbridge County and Lexington. Historical resources, artifacts, and many publications and papers are available for use by historians or anyone who is researching the history or people of this area.

Virginia Living Museum
Newport News, Virginia

Aquarium, Arboretum, Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Children's, History, Natural History, Nature Centers, Park, Planetarium

View endangered red wolves. Get up close to a loggerhead turtle and moon jellies. See fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Touch live spider crabs and fossilized dinosaur tracks. It’s all at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, where living exhibits depict Virginia’s natural heritage from the mountains to the sea

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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