manchester: from sister city to south richmond

April 15 - August 31, 2010

Originally incorporated as a town in 1769, Manchester developed into an independent city directly south of Richmond across the James River and was incorporated into the City of Richmond in 1910. An early center of shipping and the slave trade, Manchester also was home to numerous mills and factories. Its main thoroughfare Hull Street developed into the area’s commercial core, serving the surrounding suburbs of Spring Hill, Blackwell, Forest Hill, Bainbridge, Woodland Heights and Swansboro. Curated from the History Center's Archives, the exhibition is on view in the Stern Gallery and is included with regular museum admission. Plan your visit.

waste not, want not: richmond's great depression, 1929-1941

October 29, 2009 - September 2010

This exhibition demonstrates life in Richmond during the Great Depression, which lasted from October 1929 until the U.S. entered World War II. In the midst of calamity, Richmond residents joined other Americans in an explosion of political, organizational and cultural creativity. Several important local businesses, organizations and cultural institutions were established during this period. Located in the Massey Gallery (first floor), Waste Not, Want Not tells this story with objects, images, ephemera and costumes primarily from the History Center’s collection. Plan your visit.

please enjoy the show: images of richmond theater

October 2 , 2009 - March 31, 2010

This photography exhibition explores Richmond’s 20th century theater community, examining playhouses and movie theaters, professional and amateur actors, and memorable events and personalities. Visitors will see images documenting the city’s rich theater history, from the Academy of Music and Biograph Theater to the Little Theatre League and Eddie Weaver. Additional playbills, tickets, posters and other theater memorabilia are located in cases outside of the Stern Gallery.

Serving Richmond, Reaching the World: Greater richmond chapter of the american red cross

Ongoing

The Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross was established in 1917 to assist the needs of the community during World War I and has continued to be a vital part of the Richmond’s service community. From its work with servicemen and disabled veterans, the Red Cross has grown to include disaster preparedness and recovery, life safety, first aid and community service. This exhibition features volunteer uniforms, including Nurses and Motor Corp volunteers, as well as clothing worn by volunteers in New York City on September 11, 2001. Visitors also will see posters, photographs, service pins and documents.

Ongoing

Discovering Collections, Making Connections brings together objects and their stories from the Valentine Richmond History Center's three collecting areas - Archives, Costume and Textiles, and General Collections - highlighting different ways of understanding and interpreting their history. Through these objects we open a window to Richmond's past for a better understanding of its present.

Battle for the City: the Politics of Race 1950-1970

Closed September 2009

With stunning imagery and artifacts, the History Center revisits citywide conflicts over integration, civil rights, urban planning, transportation and political representation.

disciples of vulcan: examining the oregon hill community

Closed September 2009

Bordered by Cary and Belvidere Streets to the north and east and Oregon Hill Parkway and Hollywood Cemetery to the south and west, Oregon Hill was settled in the 1840s by immigrant ironworkers and developed into a tight-knit working class neighborhood. Using images from the History Center's collection, the exhibition traces the development of the neighborhood’s residents, businesses, institutions and preservation challenges.