The Valentine

The Valentine The Valentine collects, preserves and interprets Richmond Stories. Admission includes 2 hours of parking and access to all exhibition galleries.
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The Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s 400-year history for over a century. Located in the heart of historic downtown, the Valentine is a place for residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that tell the broader history of this important region. A comprehensive program of exhibitions, tours, special events, research opportunities, school programs and

other public programs engage the broadest audience in an ongoing dialogue about the significance and relevance of the city's history.

Talk about a specialized piece of equipment! This little machine is a Texilscope, a tabletop electroscope used to identi...
06/02/2026

Talk about a specialized piece of equipment! This little machine is a Texilscope, a tabletop electroscope used to identify the type and quality of fabric by measuring the electrostatic properties of a cloth sample. Patented in 1924, it claimed to identify wool, silk, cotton, camel hair, alpaca, linen, jute and even synthetics! Store owners could test their wares right in front of customers and often advertised their goods as guaranteed by Texilscope test!

V.87.123.01

In May of 1995, The Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League clinched the Riley Cup Championship. Playing thei...
05/29/2026

In May of 1995, The Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League clinched the Riley Cup Championship. Playing their home games at the Coliseum, the first era of the Renegades lasted from 1990-2003. The Renegades were affiliated with 5 NHL teams including the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. 33 Players from the Renegades went on the play in the NHL, most notably Jaimie McLennan, Manny Legace and Hall of Famer Rod Langway late in his career. A second Richmond Renegades franchise played in the Coliseum from 2006 - 2009, competing in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Renegades - PHC204 V.2008.32.227; V.2021.32.15 - Bound Style Weekly Volumes Book 15 from Volume VII, No.39 October 2nd 1990, pg 4 Style Weekly Photo Collection, Fans at Renegades Game (No Number); Style Weekly Photo Collection, Richmond Renegades vs Charlotte Checkers game c.2000 (no number); Style Weekly Photo Collection, Zamboni at Richmond Coliseum 1990s (No Number)

From St. John’s Church to the Hippodrome Theater to the Carillon, Richmond is full of architectural landmarks. Opening J...
05/28/2026

From St. John’s Church to the Hippodrome Theater to the Carillon, Richmond is full of architectural landmarks. Opening June 4, 2026, "Building a City: Richmond's Landmarks" features models of some of the city's iconic buildings, crafted by Richmond region students.

This project engaged nearly 500 Richmond region educators and students to learn the full history of a select list of Richmond’s landmark buildings. Students created models of the structures and wrote their own interpretive label to be featured in the exhibition.

Learn more at: thevalentine.org/explore/exhibitions/building-a-city-richmonds-landmarks/

05/26/2026

We have another appointment with Collections Connections today! Nichol Gabor shares with us one of the oldest items in our Costume and Textiles collection: an elaborately detailed coat that belonged to George Washington's dentist.

The Valentine is open today for Memorial Day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Stop by to explore Richmond Stories! Reminder that th...
05/25/2026

The Valentine is open today for Memorial Day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Stop by to explore Richmond Stories! Reminder that this is the final day to view our exhibition "Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond" before it closes.

05/21/2026

In this short, created in partnership between VPM and Style Weekly, members of Richmond's Asian American community express their thoughts the value of one's roots and heritage.

In partnership with the Asian American Society of Central Virginia (AASoCV) and the 1882 Foundation, "Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond" shares stories of personal experience and cultural identity: how people found their way here and how they are now an integral part of our local community. This is the last weekend to explore "Generations" before it closes on May 25, 2026.

05/21/2026

By partaking in cultural traditions, many Asian American Richmonders maintain a sense of connection with their ancestors. In this short, created collaboratively by VPM and Style Weekly, Henrico resident Sandy Ting reflects on the sacred practices that allow her to honor and seek guidance from those who came before her.

In partnership with the Asian American Society of Central Virginia (AASoCV) and the 1882 Foundation,"Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond" shares stories of personal experience and cultural identity: how people found their way here and how they are now an integral part of our local community.

05/18/2026

By partaking in cultural traditions, many Asian American Richmonders maintain a sense of connection with their ancestors. In this short, created collaboratively by VPM and Style Weekly, Henrico resident Sandy Ting reflects on the sacred Taiwanese practices that allow her to honor and seek guidance from those who came before her.

In partnership with the Asian American Society of Central Virginia (AASoCV) and the 1882 Foundation, "Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond" shares stories of personal experience and cultural identity: how people found their way here and how they are now an integral part of our local community. "Generations" is on view at the Valentine until next Monday, May 25th, 2026. Come see us before it closes next week!

This coming Sunday, May 17th, join us for a special curator-led walking tour of Court End and Capitol Square! Follow alo...
05/14/2026

This coming Sunday, May 17th, join us for a special curator-led walking tour of Court End and Capitol Square! Follow along with Christina K. Vida, the Valentine’s Elise H. Wright Curator of General Collections, and visit landmarks across the Court End neighborhood. You'll also learn about Christina’s new research into the lives of Richmonders who sought their own form of liberty in the Revolutionary period. Hear stories of Tories, free Black Richmonders, enslaved workers, and others featured in the Valentine’s exhibit "Dissent! Liberty & Loyalty in Early Richmond".

Head to our website to learn more and book your spot for this weekend: https://thevalentine.org/event/spotlight-tour-dissent-in-court-end-with-christina-vida/

05/13/2026

Collections Connections is back for another round! In this episode, curator Christina Vida reveals a secret about the Wickham House's card tables.

Address

1015 E Clay Street
Richmond, VA
23219

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18046490711

Website

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