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

The Valentine

Name: The Valentine
Address: 1015 E Clay Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, US
Telephone: +18046490711
Price range: $
Rating: 4.2

The Valentine collects, preserves and interprets Richmond Stories. Admission includes 2 hours of parking and access to all exhibition galleries.
(360)

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.

08/28/2026

“America, we want to love you…we want you happy, full of aspiration, effort and good will, yet you’re hard to love. I’ve felt, seen and heard your joy and pain displayed in our crayon box of achievers, beggars, believers, critics, haters, sinners and souls seeking possibilities. Neither hammer nor rose, this work is dedicated to ALL OF US!”

Join us on Thursday, September 10, for a book signing of AMERICA 250 by Glenn Proctor. Books will be available in the gift shop for purchase.

AMERICA 250 is Proctor’s seventh book, fourth poetry book, and first book-length poem. Glenn Proctor is a Pulitzer Prize winner, Pulitzer judge, professor, Vietnam Veteran, mental health educator, executive and life coach and crisis counselor.

Learn more and register for this free event here: https://thevalentine.org/event/book-signing-america-250-by-glenn-proctor/

08/27/2026

School's back in session at the Valentine; so we're inviting all Pre-K through college level educators to our free Educator Open House, on Thursday, September 3!

Enjoy refreshments, meet colleagues from across Richmond, and explore the Valentine’s latest exhibitions, while learning about our educational offerings for the 2026-27 school year. With walking tours, field trips, in classroom outreach, hands on archival visits, and curator talks, the Valentine has plenty of of resources for educators looking to bolster their curriculum and help students succeed!

🍎📚Learn more and register here: https://thevalentine.org/event/prek-12-and-college-educator-open-house/

08/26/2026

It's National Dog Day and this is your reminder that you should treat your four legged friends to a History Hounds tour with the Valentine! 🐶🐾💕📚

On Sunday, September 13, join us for a special dog-friendly tour of Scott’s Addition, presented in collaboration with the Richmond SPCA! Originally named for General Winfield Scott, this early-20th century commercial and industrial area contains what is perhaps Richmond’s best selection of Art Deco and Moderne commercial architecture. Dig into the history behind this popular Richmond district, now a booming residential neighborhood.

Hurry pup and grab your tickets before they sell out!

https://thevalentine.org/event/history-hounds-explore-scotts-addition/

08/24/2026

Today, a special guest shares a story for her favorite corner! Geneva, Site Coordinator for the John Marshall House invites you to learn more about this important historical site at 9th and Marshall Street. Join the John Marshall House and the Valentine for our upcoming Aaron Burr Treason Trial tours on August 28 and 29. Learn about the intrigue of the Burr Conspiracy, the scandalous “Feast of Treason” hosted by John Wickham, and the lasting impact of this monumental trial.

Register for your tour at: https://thevalentine.org/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=109

08/22/2026

It’s a perfect weekend to visit the Valentine! Stop by and explore our newest exhibition “Building a City: Richmond’s Landmarks” created in partnership with 500 Richmond region students and teachers. This exhibition showcases student-created models of some of Richmond’s most iconic buildings and landmarks, inviting visitors to explore the city's rich architectural history through the eyes of local students.

Come by to see it today! The Valentine is open this weekend from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Learn more about this exhibition here: https://thevalentine.org/explore/exhibitions/building-a-city-richmonds-landmarks/

08/21/2026

Our Collections Project Manager, Rachel Asbury Cole, is here to treat us to another segment of Collections Connections! In this episode, learn how this tiny necklace in our collection connects the story of Joan of Arc with a Richmond nurse who served in World War 2.

08/17/2026

The new school year is almost upon us! Did you know that Richmond's first public school opened in 1816?

The Lancasterian School opened as Richmond's first public school. Its goal was to offer a free education to poor boys and girls and was funded through donations and a small appropriation from the City. The Lancasterian School was on 15th and Marshall streets in Shockoe Valley. The building became a part of the original public school system in 1871 and was later renamed Valley School.

Image credit: Cook Photograph Collection. 0827/PHC0047. The Valentine, Richmond, Virginia.

08/13/2026

Salsa can feel intimidating from the sidelines. If you have ever hesitated to join the dance floor, here is your sign: you can absolutely learn to dance!

Next Thursday evening, on August 20, join Mambo Bones Salsa Dance Studio at The Valentine Museum for an hour of rhythm, connection, and energy. They'll teach the basics of salsa and bachata from the ground up in a low-pressure, friendly environment where everyone is welcome.

Learn more and secure your spot on the dance floor here: https://thevalentine.org/event/free-salsa-at-the-valentine-museum/

08/12/2026

Get ready for a weekend full of Richmond stories with the Valentine! Join the most experienced tour guides in Richmond for these upcoming walking tours of Jackson Ward, Hollywood Cemetery, and the Church Hill neighborhood.

On our Friday "Murals of Jackson Ward Tour", explore the diversity of one of city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Visit murals, revitalized buildings and historic homes and learn the neighborhood’s rich history. As we trace its evolution from immigrant working-class neighborhood, to the “Harlem of the South” and a modern community today, we’ll explore how art is telling the story of Jackson Ward.

On Saturday morning, take in the view from Hollywood Cemetery, a spectacular bluff overlooking the James River that has been the final resting place of some of Virginia’s most prominent citizens since 1847. During our ever-popular "Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery" tour, we'll explore the graves of rebels and rockers, politicians and Pulitzer Prize winners; and, of course, two U.S. Presidents: James Monroe and John Tyler.

Finish the weekend with a tour on the revolutionary history of the Church Hill neighborhood — from historic St. John’s Church to Benedict Arnold’s raid on Richmond and beyond. On Sunday's "America’s Founding Story: Church Hill Neighborhood Walking Tour", you'll also learn about the modern renovation efforts, scenic parks and thriving restaurant scene that make Church Hill a vibrant neighborhood today.

Learn more about these upcoming tours and book your tickets today: https://thevalentine.org/events/

Image credits:

Cook Photograph Collection. 0166/PHC0047. The Valentine, Richmond, Virginia.

Richmond Chamber of Commerce Photograph Collection. V.86.153.187/PHC0015. The Valentine, Richmond, Virginia.

Bill Lane, photographer. Richmond Times-Dispatch Photograph Collection. FIC.031752/PHC0076. The Valentine, Richmond, Virginia.

08/10/2026

Richmond’s Dogwood Dell amphitheater in Byrd Park has long been used for children’s theater productions during the summer months. In 1956, Richmond’s Department of Recreation and Parks converted the space into an amphitheater. As a city-operated performance space, Dogwood Dell is best known for its annual Festival of the Arts, a free summer-long series of performances and art exhibits begun in 1956. This year, 2026, marks Dogwood Dell's 69th Festival of the Arts.

Image credit: Masaaki Okada, photographer. Richmond Times-Dispatch Photograph Collection. V.85.37.3344/PHC0076. The Valentine, Richmond, Virginia.

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

http://www.thevalentine.org/

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