Westmoreland County Museum

06/18/2026

Juneteenth

The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, was a wartime executive order declaring the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate states, issued on January 1, 1863. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston. This day became known as Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the trek to equality. In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

For museums and archaeologists, Juneteenth is a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of our communities. Archaeology helps to uncover the lives and experiences of people whose voices went unheard and overlooked, including enslaved people and their descendants. Through artifacts, historic sites, and research, museums help us to understand the lives, the struggles, the defeats and victories of African Americans throughout history.

At the Westmoreland County Museum, we recognize that history is made up of many voices. Juneteenth encourages us to continue documenting, preserving, interpreting, and sharing stories that reflect the diverse experiences that shaped, and continue to shape, our community and our nation.

We honor the strength, perseverance, and legacy of those who fought for freedom and justice, and those who continue to fight. In honor of Juneteenth the Westmoreland County Museum as well as the Westmoreland Mercantile & Museum Gift Shop will be closed Friday June 19, 2026.

06/16/2026

Join the Westmoreland County Museum for Historic Garden Work Days as we care for the historic Presidents' Garden, designed by renowned Virginia landscape architect Charles F. Gillette in 1941.

📅 July 1 & 2, 2026 ⏰ 11 AM–2 PM 📍 Westmoreland County Museum, Montross

Bring gardening gloves, water, and your favorite hand tools. Whether you're a gardener, history lover, or community volunteer, we'd love to have you join us

🌿🏛️

06/15/2026

📚 Join Our Community Partners at the Hague Library! 📚

Looking for a thoughtful way to continue the conversation sparked by Juneteenth programming or explore a fascinating chapter of American history?

On Monday, June 22, from 6:00–7:30 PM, the John Dos Passos Institute will present:
"The Great Migration Through Two Chroniclers' Eyes: Isabel Wilkerson and John Dos Passos"

This free public program will examine how two influential writers documented dramatically different American experiences and how their works help us better understand the nation's past.

📍 Hague Library
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
🎟️ Free and open to the public (no registration required)

The program will include a Q&A session, and books will be available for purchase following the talk.

At the Westmoreland County Museum, we believe exploring many perspectives helps us better understand our shared history, and we're pleased to share opportunities like this with our community.

PublicHistory CommunityLearning Juneteenth LocalHistory

06/15/2026

📚 Join Our Community Partners at the Hague Library! 📚

Looking for a thoughtful way to continue the conversation sparked by Juneteenth programming or explore a fascinating chapter of American history?

On Monday, June 22, from 6:00–7:30 PM, the John Dos Passos Institute will present:
"The Great Migration Through Two Chroniclers' Eyes: Isabel Wilkerson and John Dos Passos"

This free public program will examine how two influential writers documented dramatically different American experiences and how their works help us better understand the nation's past.

📍 Hague Library
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
🎟️ Free and open to the public (no registration required)

The program will include a Q&A session, and books will be available for purchase following the talk.

At the Westmoreland County Museum, we believe exploring many perspectives helps us better understand our shared history, and we're pleased to share opportunities like this with our community.

06/12/2026

We put up a bird feeder outside the museum and even posted a recruitment flyer. So far, not a single applicant has accepted the position. We know history. Birds? Not so much.

Friends of the museum, what are we doing wrong? Does it take time for birds to discover a new feeder? Is there a particular seed we should use? Do we need to add water, a perch, a tiny HR department?

Drop your bird-feeding wisdom below and help us solve Westmoreland County Museum's latest mystery. 🕵️‍♀️🐦

(And if you're a bird reading this, applications are still being accepted.) 😆

06/06/2026

It was obviously Westmoreland County Museum. 😉 We're a little biased, but if there had been a vote for best Friday vibe, we'd have cast ours for Naomi.

We Dig Naomi. Montross Does Too. 🏺❤️

Thanks to everyone who came out for First Fridays and supported local businesses and our community.

06/05/2026

Archibald has been reassigned to Visitor Recruitment Specialist. Salary: $0. Benefits: unlimited staring. 👀 We'll see everyone Saturday for Tattoos and Archeology!

06/04/2026

The Westmoreland County Museum is headed to Virginia Resolved at Stratford Hall this Sunday, June 7!

Stop by our booth from 12 PM–4 PM and join archaeologist Naomi Trout for hands-on archaeology activities, artifact exploration, and a special archaeological dig for kids.

Whether you're a budding archaeologist, a history enthusiast, or just looking for a fun family activity, we invite you to come discover how archaeology helps uncover the stories of Virginia's past.

We hope to see you there as we celebrate 250 years of the Lee Resolution for Independence and the people, places, and stories that shaped our nation.

📍 Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
📅 Sunday, June 7, 2026 | 12 PM–4 PM

05/28/2026

⚡️The storm today gave the museum one of the most dramatic backdrops we’ve ever seen.

Anyone doing Thunderstruck at Karaoke tonight? 😂