Museums & Gardens

By Donna C. Gregory - Special Correspondent
Published: September 1, 2008

Do you love the Impressionists, or would you rather enjoy the sunflowers in their real life splendor? Maybe you’ve got a fascination with old houses or the Civil War. Regardless of your interest, the Richmond region probably has a museum for you. There are museums dedicated to African-American and Jewish history, trains, planes and nature. There’s even a museum for fans of horror writer Edgar Allan Poe.

One of Richmond’s most-visited museums, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, is undergoing a massive $130 million expansion, adding more than 165,000 square feet of new exhibition space. Scheduled to open in late 2009, the expansion will showcase a three-story glass atrium, a four-acre sculpture garden and 600-car parking deck.

A few exhibits will be closed during construction, but that shouldn’t deter visitors from making the trip to see what’s on view. There’s also still plenty to see nearby, including the Virginia Historical Society, Maymont, the Children’s Museum and the Science Museum of Virginia. All are within easy driving distance and are well-loved by Richmonders.

Below are the city’s museums and their collections, activities, hours and admission prices. Details are subject to change, so call before visiting.

Agecroft Hall: 15th-century English Tudor manor house on 23 acres of landscaped grounds along the James River. Lancashire, England, estate was bought in 1925, dismantled and reassembled here. 4305 Sulgrave Road, Windsor Farms. Hours, Tu-Sa, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Su, 12:30-5 p.m. Cost, $5-8. Self-guided garden tours half price. (804) 353-4241 http://www.agecrofthall.com 

American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar: Tells the whole story of the Civil War from three perspectives: Union, Confederate and African-American. Located in the 1861 gun foundry, visitors may explore 150 artifacts and view four films. 500 Tredegar Street, Richmond. Hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week. Cost, $2-8. (804) 780-1865 ext. 10 http://www.tredegar.org

Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia: Highlights achievements of African-Americans in Virginia through artifacts, videos, historical documents, photographs and art. 00 Clay St., Jackson Ward. Hours, Tu-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost, $3-5. (804) 780-9093 http://www.blackhistorymuseum.org 

Chesterfield County Museum: Reproduction of the 1750 Colonial courthouse; exhibits dating from prehistoric fossils to the 20th century, featuring Chesterfield’s first in railroading, mining, ironworks. Cost, free. Nearby Magnolia Grange, an 1822 Federal house, is open for tours for a small fee. Chesterfield Courthouse, Chesterfield. Hours, Tu-F, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sa, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (804) 796-1479

Children’s Museum of Richmond: Interactive, hands-on museum with age-appropriate activities for newborns to children age 8. 2626 W. Broad St., Richmond. Hours, Memorial Day through Labor Day, M-Sa, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m. Winter hours, Tu-Sa, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m. Cost, $7; after 4 p.m., $4. Memberships start at $100. (804) 474-7000 http://www.c-mor.org 

Congregation Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives: Galleries pertaining to Jewish history and culture; research archives. 1109 W. Franklin St., Fan District. Hours, Su-Th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed F and Sa.; Cost, $5 (donation). (804) 353-2668 http://www.bethahabah.org 

Edgar Allan Poe Museum: Memorabilia of Edgar Allan Poe, who spent part of his life in Richmond. Four buildings contain artifacts, memorabilia and other material. 1914-16 E. Main St., Shockoe Bottom. Hours, Tu-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed M. Guided tours available by appointment. Cost, $5-6. (804) 648-5523 http://www.poemuseum.org 

Elegba Folklore Society Cultural Center: Multicultural art and artifacts; traditional African folk art, dolls, paintings and photographs. 101 E. Broad St. Hours, M-F, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sa, noon-4 p.m., and by appointment Cost, free, donations accepted. (804) 644-3900 http://www.elegbafolkloresociety.org 

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond: An exploration of the important role the Federal Reserve plays in the U.S. economy, including a look at the evolution of central banking throughout American history. 701 E. Byrd St., first floor. Opening June 2010. (804) 697-8108

Goochland County Historical Society: Library houses books, records, pictures, maps and documents. A nearby stone jail features exhibit on Goochland history from 1700 to 2000. State Route 6. Hours, Tu-F, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Winter Hours, W-F, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost, free. (804) 556-3966 http://www.goochlandhistory.org 

John Marshall House: The Federal-era home, built by the fourth chief justice of the United States, is still filled with his belongings. The 1790 house is a National Historic Landmark. 818 E. Marshall St. Hours, Tu-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m., for house/shop. Last tour, 4:30 p.m. Cost, $7-10 for Court End Passport (admission also to Monumental Church, Valentine Richmond History Center and Black History Museum). (804) 648-7998

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: An oasis of year-round beauty and interest, including a brand-new Rose Garden, a Healing Garden, Asian Valley, Historic Bloemendaal House and a Victorian-style garden, and a Children’s Garden – complete with wheelchair accessible Tree House and WaterPlay. The glass conservatory is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic. Garden shop, café and tea house. 1800 Lakeside Ave. Hours, daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; open Th until 9 p.m. with wine-tasting and jazz through Sept. 25. Cost, $6-10. (804) 262-9887 http://www.lewisginter.org

Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature: Collections of gems, jewelry, minerals, fossils and seashells; displays relating natural history to countries and cultures. Richmond Way, University of Richmond. Hours, Tu-F, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sa-Su, 1-5 p.m. Cost, free. (804) 289-8237 http://www.museums.richmond.edu 

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site: Home of Maggie Walker, the nation’s first black female to charter a bank and an influential businesswoman, editor and civic leader. 600 N. Second St., Jackson Ward. Hours, M-Sa, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Su. Cost, free. Tours start at the visitor’s center (804) 771-2017 http://www.nps.gov/malw 

Maymont: Richmond’s Gilded Age mansion includes an upstairs/downstairs tour. The 33-room Victorian mansion overlooks a 100-acre estate with Japanese and formal Italian gardens, Children’s Farm, Robins Nature Center and wildlife habitats. Visitors Center entrance, 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond. Hours, grounds and visitor center open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibits, Nature Center and Maymont Mansion, Tu-Su, noon-5 p.m. Cost, suggested donation. Tram and carriage rides, $2-3. (804) 358-7166 http://www.maymont.org 

Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park: An 1860 living-history farm site, including Orientation Center, farmhouse, outbuildings and farm animals. Hours, grounds, dawn to dusk daily; buildings, Tu-Su, noon-4 p.m.; last farmhouse tour at 3:30 p.m. Cost, free. 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. (804) 501-5520

Museum in Memory of Virginia E. Randolph: Museum shows how Randolph, daughter of slaves, became a pioneering educator and humanitarian. 2200 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Hours, 1-4 p.m. M, W, F, Sa; Su, 3-5 p.m. and by appointment. Cost, free. (804) 261-5029

(The) Museum and White House of the Confederacy: Largest collection of Confederate art, artifacts and documents in the world. The Confederate White House, a mansion occupied by Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his family, has 11 period rooms decorated with Victorian furniture and textiles. 1201 E. Clay St., Richmond. Hours, M-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m. White House closed Jan. and Feb. Cost, $4-11. (804) 649-1861 http://www.moc.org 

Old Dominion Railway Museum: Artifacts and photographs relating to the history of railroading in Richmond. 102 Hull St., South Richmond. Hours, Sa, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Su, 1-4 p.m. Cost, free; donations accepted. (804) 233-6237 http://www.odcnrhs.org 

Pamplin Historical Park: 422-acre Petersburg area park features three miles of trails and preserved Civil War earthworks; National Museum of the Civil War Soldier; Tudor Hall, a restored and furnished 1812 plantation house; Battlefield Center features a fiber optics map of how the battle lines advance, artifacts and theater. 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg. Hours, Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost, $9-15. (804) (877) PAMPLIN http://www.pamplinpark.org 

Science Museum of Virginia: Located in former Broad Street Station. Hands-on exhibits on life sciences, aerospace, astronomy, physics, perception and computers; planetarium and IMAX®DOME; Foucault pendulum demonstrating Earth’s rotation; Aluminaut submarine exhibit; Barbara and William B. Thalhimer Jr. Hall of Science Exploration; rat basketball demonstrations. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. Hours, M-Sa, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for IMAX®DOME show times. Cost, $8.50-17.50. (804) 864-1400 http://www.smv.org 

Valentine Richmond History Center: Museum of the life and history of Richmond; includes restored Wickham House (1812), galleries, event rental facilities, gift shop, garden, the Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio, and Cafe Richmond (breakfast and lunch, M-F). Bus and walking tours of historic Richmond neighborhoods offered Feb.-Dec. 1015 E. Clay St., downtown Richmond. Hours, Tu-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m. Cost, $7-10 for Court End Passport (admission also to John Marshall House, Monumental Church and Black History Museum). (804) 649-0711 http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com 

Virginia Aviation Museum: Division of the Science Museum of Virginia featuring vintage aircraft, aviation history exhibitions, a World War II exhibition, interactive Forces of Flight exhibits, Piper Cub full-size aircraft, flight films and lectures. The Kids Ready Room includes a pedal plane, games and activities. 5701 Huntsman Road, Richmond International Airport, Sandston. Hours, M-Sa, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su, noon-5 p.m. Cost, $5-6. Group rates by reservation; call 864-1400. (804) 236-3622 http://www.vam.smv.org 

Virginia Historical Society: Galleries exhibiting rare Virginia treasures, a library for historical and genealogical research, Civil War murals, a renowned collection of Confederate-made weapons and a museum shop. “The Story of Virginia, An American Experience” takes you through Virginia history. Center for Virginia History, Battle Abbey, 428 N. Boulevard, Richmond. Hours, M-Sa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Su 1-5 p.m. (galleries and shop only). Cost, $3-5. Members, free. On Tuesday, $2 seniors (galleries only). Free on Sunday (galleries only). (804) 358-4901 http://www.vahistorical.org

Virginia Holocaust Museum: The story of the Holocaust and its victims; located in a renovated 1899 brick tobacco factory. 2000 E. Cary St., Shockoe Bottom. Hours, M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sa-Su, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost, free; donations accepted. (804) 257-5400 http://www.va-holocaust.com 

Virginia House: Reconstructed centuries-old English manor house originally owned by Alexander Weddell, former ambassador to Spain, and his wife, Virginia. Furnishings include Elizabethan oak furniture, Flemish tapestries and Spanish colonial art. Gardens designed by landscape architect Charles Gillette; now owned by the Virginia Historical Society. 4301 Sulgrave Road, Windsor Farms. Hours, F-Sa, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Su, 12:30-5 p.m. Other days by appointment only. Group tours offered; last tour begins one hour prior to closing. Cost, $3-5. (804) 353-4251 http://www.vahistorical.org 

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Extensive collection surveys world art: Russian imperial Easter eggs and objects d’art by Peter Carl Fabergé, British silver by silversmiths of the 18th and 19th centuries, European paintings and American art. These collections will be on view until early 2009, at which time these galleries will close for reinstallation. Remaining on view are the Mellon Collections of French Impressionist post-Impressionist art, British sporting paintings, spotlight loans from major American museums and a Sol LeWitt wall drawing installation in the fall of 2008. VMFA is undergoing major expansion, which is scheduled to open in late 2009. Boulevard and Grove Avenue, Richmond. Hours, W-Su, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (804) 340-1400 http://www.vmfa.museum 

Virginia Union University Museum: African, oceanic and African American folk art. L. Douglas Wilder Library, 1500 N. Lombardy St. Hours, Tu-Th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and by appointment. Free. (804) 257-5660

Wilton House Museum: Georgian house built circa 1753 in Varina and moved to its present location in the 1930s by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America; social history, material culture and decorative-arts house museum contains original wood paneling and period furniture. 215 S. Wilton Road, off Cary Street Road, Richmond. Hours, Tu-F, 1-4:30 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Su, 1:30-4:30 p.m.; last tour, 3:45 p.m. Closed Mondays and national holidays. Cost, $6-10. (804) 282-5936 http://www.wiltonhousemuseum.org