History at Home: Explore Virginia Beach History Museums’ Online Collection

Residents, visitors and researchers can now freely explore images and information about artifacts in Virginia Beach History Museums (VBHM) collections on the newly launched online collections site. The site offers a unique opportunity to explore object profiles from VBHM’s extensive collections, including items currently on public display and those in storage.  

“An online collections website allows VBHM to expand access to our artifacts and stories beyond the physical walls of the museums, reaching a broader audience and providing an interactive experience,” said Annmarie Reiley-Kay, director of the Virginia Beach History Museums. “By making these collections available for viewing online, we can further our mission of preserving and sharing the history of Virginia Beach.” 

The museums collections site already contains information and photos of artifacts from the Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum, such as original chairs from the school auditorium, game-worn sports equipment from school athletes, band uniforms, graduation apparel and more from the 1950s and 1960s.  

The museum is a tribute to the first high school for Black students in Princess Anne County, now known as Virginia Beach. The school opened in 1938, and closed in1969, because schools were integrated citywide.    

Residents and visitors can visit the museum, located inside the Renaissance Academy, 5100 Cleveland St., for free self-guided tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.  

Additional artifacts from different VBHM locations, including the Francis Land House, Thoroughgood House and Lynnhaven House, will be posted online as they are cataloged and uploaded.  

Future uploads of images and information are planned for a set of Princess Anne folk art jugs and a deep indigo-glazed calamanco quilt, both of which are from the 18th century and were nominated as one of “Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts” by the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM). The quilt, which was on display in the Thoroughgood House, was also named the “2023 Juried Award Winner” by VAM. Both artifacts are currently in storage.  

The collections website falls in line with accessibility and audience engagement goals from the Virginia Beach Historic Houses Interpretive Plan.