Open Travel Guide
History of Virginia

Virginia History & Heritage Guide 2026

The history of Virginia told through its places: sites worth the detour and the context they need.

Virginia is where American history begins—from the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown in 1607 to the birth of the Constitution and eight US presidents born within its borders. The Commonwealth stretches from Atlantic barrier islands and the Chesapeake Bay in the east to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Plateau in the west, offering visitors an extraordinary mix of Colonial history, Civil War battlefields, mountain wilderness, wine country, and vibrant coastal cities.

Historical sites

Places where Virginia's past comes alive.

Museums

Curated collections that tell Virginia's story.

Museum

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun noon–5:00 PM

Admission: Adult: $10 USD

Museum

Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Admission: Adult: $8 USD

Museum

National Museum of the Civil War Soldier

Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Admission: Adult: $15 USD