Museums Virginia
Children's

Browse Museums

Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children's Museum
Lynchburg, Virginia

Art, Children's, Nature Centers, Science

At Amazement Square, Central Virginia's first multidisciplinary, hands-on children's museum, we believe that play is one of the most important ways children learn and grow! Climb, slide, and discover as you make your way through four floors of exciting, interactive exhibits, activities, and programs that explore global and regional topics, arts and humanities, and science and health-related themes. To allow people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to take advantage of the museum's unique learning opportunities, Amazement Square provides a variety of outreach events and offers a Sponsored Admission Program for undeserved youth to experience the museum at a free or reduced rate.

Camp William B. Snyder & Cub World
Haymarket, Virginia

Children's, Nature Centers

If you're looking for a great adventure...it starts at Camp William B. Snyder!!! The 350-acre Camp William B. Snyder, located in Haymarket, Virginia is the latest and greatest camping experience offered by the National Capital Area Council and the Boy Scouts of America. Camp Snyder, now operating in our 3rd year serves as a multi-functional camp that can meet the needs of Packs, Troops, Venture Crews, Varsity Teams, and other outside organizations looking to develop a partnership or quality outdoor experience.

Children's Museum of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia

Art, Children's, Nature Centers, Science

Adventure and entertainment abound as children learn through interactive play - sit in an eagle's nest, explore a cave, tinker in the inventor's lab, and more. SOL based and great family fun.

Danville Science Center
Danville, Virginia

Children's, Natural History, Science

Located at the historic Crossing at the Dan, the Danville Science Center delights all ages with its hands-on exhibits, natural history collection and special programs that make science fun for everyone. During butterfly season (April-October), visit the Center's Butterfly Station and Garden - one of only a few butterfly greenhouses in Virginia. The Science Center is a division of the Science Museum of Virginia.

Heritage Farm Museum of Loudoun County
Sterling, Virginia

Children's, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Specialized

The Heritage Farm Musem preserves the history of agriculture and promotes the agricultural heritage of Loudoun County.

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.

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

Natural Bridge Zoo
Natural Bridge, Virginia

Children's, Nature Centers, Park, Science, Specialized, Zoo

The largest and most complete collection of birds and animals in the state of Virginia is found at the Natural Bridge Zoo. Enjoy the friendly animal petting area, fun-filled elephant rides and free picnic grounds or browse through the Safari Shop. Special group rates are available for schools, organizations, clubs and senior citizen groups.

Science Museum of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia

Children's, Science

Hundreds of unique hands-on exhibits encourage visitors to have fun while exploring science. The museum features demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, events and drama productions, and IMAX films in Virginia's only IMAX dome.

Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Winchester, Virginia

Children's, Nature Centers, Science

The museum offers an interactive, hands-on experience for families that focuses on the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the arts.

Art Works, Inc. Studios & Galleries
Richmond, Virginia

Art, Children's, Culture

Art Works represents over 100 Virginia artists as well as national and international artists in monthly shows. There are 75 studios and 5 galleries at Art Works. Many artists work in their studios; some use their studios as mini-galleries. The public is welcome to spend an afternoon viewing art, visiting with artists and can even see art being made. Children are welcome and can make art at the art-activity table. The public is invited to our monthly all-media, juried art shows, the forth Friday of each month and are encouraged to participate in our programs, shows and events.

Art Works provides an outreach program to children in the neighborhood. This program, Children’s Art in the Neighborhood (CAN) is free and open to children ages 6 – 15.

Cape Henry Lighthouse
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Nature Centers, Park, Science

The first federally funded lighthouse, was built to guide maritime commerce at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It is standing near the “First Landing” site where English settlers arrived in 1607. It has stood sentinel since it was completed in 1792. Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. Designed by New York architect John McComb. In active use for nearly a century before being replaced by a new cast iron lighthouse still standing nearby. It is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the United States.

Children's Museum of Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia

Children's

While the Children’s Museum of Virginia is closed for renovations, the fun, excitement, and imagination continues at Andalo’s Clubhouse. Andalo, the museum mascot, presents hands-on exhibits, room for birthday parties, family fun days, and educational programs – just like the Children’s Museum of Virginia always has! The new address is 420 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Henricus Foundation/ Henricus Historical Park
Chesterfield, Virginia

Archaeology, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Natural History, Park, Specialized

This new English settlement would be called “The Commonwealth of Henrico” or “Henricus” in honor of the eldest son of King James I, Prince Henry. The recreated English settlement represents various military, trades, and farming elements of Henricus during the early colonial period from 1611-1622.

James Madison Museum
Orange, Virginia

Children's, Culture, General, History

An historical museum committed to collecting, preserving and exhibiting artifacts that exemplify the cultural heritage of rural Orange County emphasizing James Madison and others who made substantial contributions to the area. Permanent exhibit on Madison and the Agriculture and Transportation Hall are on display.

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.

Museum of Culpeper History
Culpeper, Virginia

Archaeology, Art, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Park, Science

Called a 'mini Smithsonian' by visitors, this community museum strives to become the 'best small community museum in Virginia.' Changing exhibits, fun hands-on interactives, great museum shop.

Portsmouth Museums Foundation
Portsmouth, Virginia

Art, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Military, Science, Specialized

The Portsmouth Museums Foundation is comprised of a 24-person regional board representing Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach and has a full time Executive Director and a part time assistant. Our mission is to generate private sector financial support for all four of the Portsmouth museums which include the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Children’s Museum of Virginia, Courthouse Galleries and the Lightship Portsmouth.

Science Museum of Western Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia

Children's, Science

The museum explores the vast diversity of science through interactive exhibits, live animals, planetariums, giant screen films, on- and off-premises outreach activities, and natural history collections.

Suffolk Art League
Suffolk, Virginia

Art, Children's, Culture, General

Suffolk Art League offers changing art exhibitions, classes and workshops for ages 3 to adult, lectures, and trips to other museums. We also partner with other institutions to provide arts programming.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

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 [email protected].

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

Wednesday, September 10 - Saturday, September 13, 2025

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hosted by: American Association for State and Local History

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email [email protected].

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