Historic Alexandria joins the Virginia Museum of History & Culture for historic investment in Virginia history museums 

As part of the celebration of America’s 250th, the Virginia History Affiliates program aims to strengthen history engagement in Virginia through connections and shared resources

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Office of Historic Alexandria announces they have joined the newly launched Virginia History Affiliates program. Organized and funded by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), the professional museum collective is designed to connect historical sites, history museums and related organizations of all sizes from across the Commonwealth. The initial group of 24 affiliates will collaborate in four key areas: education and engagement; professional connection; collections and preservation; and sustainability.

“Historic Alexandria and hundreds of other history organizations are doing essential work in their communities throughout Virginia. Until the creation of Virginia History Affiliates there has been little organized, collaborative effort to bring us together statewide,” said Jamie Bosket, president & CEO of the VMHC. “As we approach America’s 250th, we see an opportunity to create a lasting legacy by expanding our role as Virginia’s state history museum, and by investing—in a major and lasting way—in the outstanding local and regional history organizations like Historic Alexandria serving our Commonwealth.”

By building purposeful connections among institutions statewide, the Virginia History Affiliates program will expand access to robust educational tools and programming, create stronger professional connections among institutions, support broad collections stewardship and preservation work, and provide for timely sustainability efforts. As the program grows, the cohort will be able to reciprocate and share opportunities with each other and the VMHC.

“Participation in the Virginia History Affiliates program will significantly strengthen the Office of Historic Alexandria’s capacity to serve as a leading voice in public history in Northern Virginia,” said Gretchen Bulova, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria. “By intentionally building an organized network of peer institutions, the VMHC can reduce isolation among small museums, improve resource equity and encourage cross-regional partnerships that reflect Virginia’s diverse geographic and cultural landscapes.” 

Representing a multi-million-dollar, long-term commitment from the VMHC to strengthening history work happening throughout Virginia, the program is offered at no cost to participating organizations and aims to add more than 100 affiliates within just a few years. Specific benefits under development include use of VMHC exhibitions and educational resources, professional convenings and gatherings, and support for collections consultation and sharing. Participating organizations will also have preferred pathways to hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and project support, along with shared promotional opportunities.

Liz Williams, Deputy Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, added, “There is power in sharing history together across the Commonwealth. There is no limit to the impact of elevating our collective stories to help us all understand the history of Virginia—ultimately informing where we are headed in the future.” 

The inaugural cohort of Virginia History Affiliates participants includes:

Tidewater

• Shore History
• Gloucester Museum of History
• Hampton History Museum
• Pamunkey Indian Museum & Cultural Center

Central Virginia

• Fredericksburg Area Museum
• Lynchburg Museum System
• Preservation Virginia
• Robert Russa Moton Museum
• The Valentine
• The Virginia Museum of History & Culture

Shenandoah Valley

• Clarke County Historical Association
• Rocktown History
• Rockbridge Historical Society
• Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Southwest Virginia

• Blue Ridge Institute & Museum
• Christiansburg Institute
• Harrison Museum of African American Culture
• Historic Smithfield
• Historical Society of Western Virginia
• Montgomery Museum of Art & History

Northern Virginia

• Arlington Historical Society
• Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center
• Manassas Museum
• Office of Historic Alexandria

The Virginia History Affiliates program is made possible through private support from numerous donors to the VMHC, including Dominion Energy and the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation. Most recently, the VMHC received a major investment from the Anne Mullen Orrell Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee to form a permanent endowment supporting the program’s continued growth and success. 

“We are thrilled to provide leadership support of this timely and far-reaching program,” said George Thorn, SVP, philanthropic client manager at Bank of America. “Investing in our local and regional history organizations has never been more important—they are the keepers of our story and key contributors in building strong communities.”

The VMHC, along with leaders from its inaugural affiliates, celebrated the program’s public launch on March 16, 2026, in Williamsburg. 

“A legacy of America’s 200th anniversary in 1976 was the creation of nearly one-third of our country’s history organizations. Fifty years later, we aim to establish a new legacy, not by adding new institutions, but by connecting our existing and invaluable museums across the state for greater sustainability and vibrancy,” said Bosket.

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Media Contact
Jeanene Harris
City of Alexandria, Virginia 
Office of Historic Alexandria 
703-851-4333 (cell)
703.746.4734 (main)
alexandriava.gov/Historic

About the Office of Historic Alexandria
The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serves as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

About the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical Society, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, a private, non-profit organization, is the oldest museum and cultural organization in Virginia and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the United States. The Museum cares for a renowned collection of more than nine million items representing the far-reaching story of Virginia.