Historic Jackson Ward Public Art and History Walking Tour
This guided walking tour explores the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood including stories about its history, murals and other public art.
Figures of Freedom: Shockoe Bottom Walking Tour
Learn about the people that impacted freedoms in Virginia. Includes a tour of the Valentine First Freedom Center along with a stop at the Henry Box Brown monument, the African Burial Ground and the Devil’s Half-Acre, Lumpkin’s Jail.
Valentine Learning Trunks
For students learning together in hybrid or in-person settings, the Valentine is pleased to offer Valentine Learning Trunks. Learning Trunks are a comprehensive museum in a box experience loaned and delivered directly to your classroom. Each trunk comes with reproduction artifacts and primary sources, activities and suggested lesson plans for integrating this hand-on experience into your curriculum. Additionally, teachers are provided with supplemental digital content, including videos, activities and background information help you utilize the materials and connect with Virginia SOLs.
Trunks are delivered to schools by Valentine staff and can remain onsite for up to two weeks. Following your loan period, the Learning Trunk is picked up by a Valentine staff member, before being sanitized, tidied up and sent out to a new school.
Available Learning Trunk Themes:
- Ancients in the Classroom (3rd grade)
- Design in Time: Hats and Clothing from the past (Grades pre-K – 2)
- Powhatan People (pre-K, 2nd, 4th and 6th)
- Richmond Changes: Exploring Past and Present in Richmond (Grades K-6)
- Richmond Spies (4th – 6th)
- Symbols in the City (k – 4th grade)
Learning trunks can also be combined with a virtual museum visit!
Curious what’s in a Learning Trunk? Check out a sneak peek of our Powhatan People trunk below!
Ballot Battle: Women’s Suffrage (Outreach or virtual)
100 years ago, women fought for and secured the right to vote with the enactment of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Who were the players working for and against women’s suffrage in Virginia? What strategies did they use to persuade? During this virtual program, students will consider these questions as they analyze primary source documents related to the pro and anti-suffrage movements in Virginia.
Civil Rights Richmond: Housing Discrimination & Redlining (Outreach and virtual)
Right now, Richmond has 1,000 fewer affordable homes than we need to house our citizens this year. In this virtual programs, students will explore how the housing crisis emerged by analyzing primary source documents that look at housing discrimination in Richmond’s past in practice, policy and law. Look at Richmond’s redlining map from the 1930s and make connections from the past to current issues within our city.
What Makes a Neighborhood? (Outreach and virtual)
This multi-session, project-based outreach program brings a museum educator and materials to the classroom, either in person or virtually, engaging students in the process of creating a history tour about their school or neighborhood. During this 8 session program, students develop mapping, research, speaking and leadership skills and increase their understanding of the role Richmond played in state and national history.
Limited availability, inquire for more information. Program length and format can be customized for class subject and schedule.
Program Objectives: Students will learn about the history and the space surrounding their school, will work with primary and secondary sources to develop mapping and research skills, will compare past and present events, will develop a historical narrative and will develop presentation skills.
Monumental I: Analyzing Lost Cause Monuments & Historic Monument Avenue (Outreach or virtual)
Monumental: Analyzing the Lost Cause monuments on historic Monument Avenue. In this program, students will discuss the nature of public memory and engage in critical thinking related to this timely topic. Students will analyze primary source documents related to the creation of the Lee Monument.
Program Objectives: The student will demonstrate skills for historical thinking, geographical analysis, economic decision making, and responsible citizenship by analyzing primary and secondary sources and evaluating current events and decisions in Richmond.
33rd Annual Court End Christmas
The 33rd Court End Christmas will take place Sunday, December 8, from 12 to 4 p.m. Free admission and shuttle transportation will be provided to the following historic sites:
The Valentine, the Valentine First Freedom Center, The Executive Mansion, Historic St. John’s Church, Virginia State Capitol, The John Marshall House, Monumental Church, American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy and Masons’ Hall.
This fun community tradition includes children’s activities, performances, refreshments, gift shops, music, tours and much much more.
We’re excited to welcome The Urban Hang Suite, who will be on-site selling hot beverages and Ardent, who will be pouring their Valentine-inspired Winter Warmer beer. Attendees can also enjoy pizza from the Zorch Pizza food truck and music from 103.7 PLAY.
A full list of performances and activities at the Valentine (SHUTTLE STOP A/H):
You can enjoy even more activities at the other eight historic sites:
The John Marshall House (SHUTTLE STOP B): Preservation Virginia‘s John Marshall House is a short walk from the Valentine and the second stop on our bus route. They will be offering mini tours of the Chief Justice’s historic home every 15 minutes. Additionally, Silhouettes by Blane will be cutting silhouette portraits on a first come, first served basis.
The Virginia State Capitol (SHUTTLE STOP C): Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the Virginia State Capitol is one of nine sites taking part on Sunday, December 8. The capitol will offer Court End Christmas attendees hourly guided tours, and you’re invited to discover the history of this National Historic Landmark throughout the day.
The Executive Mansion (SHUTTLE STOP C): The Executive Mansion, home of Virginia Governors since 1813, is back for Court End Christmas 2019. The Mansion will be offering walk-through tours with guides on hand to provide information and answer questions. Cookies will also be available on a first come, first served basis.
The Valentine First Freedom Center (SHUTTLE STOP D): At the First Freedom Center, visitors will be able to enjoy gallery talks about the history of religious freedom. Visitors will be able to explore the space and see the First Freedom Monument where the General Assembly met during the American Revolution.
Masons’ Hall (SHUTTLE STOP E): National Historic Landmark Masons’ Hall will be holding an open house for Court End Christmas visitors. They will be offering tours for attendees to discover the history behind the oldest continuously operating Masonic Lodge in North America.
Historic St. John’s Church (SHUTTLE STOP F): St. John’s Church will be open for Court End Christmas from 1:00-5:00 offering tours and photos with Colonial Santa. This historic location will also have colonial crafts and refreshments available in the Visitor Center.
Monumental Church (SHUTTLE STOP G): Main Street A Capella will be performing for Court End Christmas audiences at Historic Richmond’s Monumental Church from 2:00-2:30 and again at 3:00-3:30. Monumental Church will also be offering tours throughout the day.
The American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy (SHUTTLE STOP A/H): The White House of the Confederacy will be offering Court End Christmas visitors stationed tours from noon to 4 p.m. They will also be providing light refreshments and children’s crafts.
Below, you can see the map for each bus stop. You can also access it HERE:
Richmond’s African American Heritage Bus Tour
On this guided bus tour, students will explore the important role that African American Richmonders played in our city and state’s history. Bus not provided.
About Us
The Valentine is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Valentine is a BBB Accredited Charity and meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
