Name: From Context to Classroom Part I – Bristol, VA
Start: 2026-07-22T08:30:00
Location: Bristol, VA

Question 1

Is the Virginia Holocaust Museum free?

Accepted Answer

Admission is free for children, students, museum members, and active military. Adults 18 and older pay $10. Free off-street parking is available directly across from the museum on East Cary Street.

Question 2

What are the Virginia Holocaust Museum hours?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Holocaust Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. The museum is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the first day of Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

Question 3

Where is the Virginia Holocaust Museum located?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Holocaust Museum is located at 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23223, in Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood. Free off-street parking is available directly across from the museum.

Question 4

Who founded the Virginia Holocaust Museum?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded in 1997 by Mark Fetter, Jay Ipson, and Al Rosenbaum. Jay Ipson, one of Richmond's youngest Holocaust survivors, was central to the museum's founding and served as its long-time Executive Director. The museum opened at its current location on Yom HaShoah in 2003.

Question 5

What makes the Virginia Holocaust Museum unique?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Holocaust Museum tells the story of the Holocaust through the experiences of survivors who came to Virginia and rebuilt their lives here. This Virginia-centered lens weaves local survivor stories throughout every exhibit. The museum is housed in an 1899 former American Tobacco Company warehouse in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

Question 6

Does the Virginia Holocaust Museum offer educational programs for schools?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers teacher workshops, the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute in partnership with Longwood University, the Butterfly Project for grades 4–12, a Bus Scholarship Program, speaker requests, and a Law Enforcement Workshop.

Question 7

Can I tour the Virginia Holocaust Museum virtually?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers a virtual museum tour at vaholocaust.org/virtual-museum-tour/ and provides access to oral histories, photographs, and documents through its online Collections Department.

Question 8

How do I book a group tour at the Virginia Holocaust Museum?

Accepted Answer

Group tours can be arranged through vaholocaust.org/group-tours/. Contact the museum at (804) 257-5400 for scheduling.

Question 9

Does the Virginia Holocaust Museum have a research library?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library holds more than 5,000 volumes. The Collections Department holds over 300 individual collections including objects, artwork, photographs, and documents from survivors and witnesses. The Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room is open to the public.

Question 10

What will I see at the Virginia Holocaust Museum?

Accepted Answer

The Museum features permanent exhibits chronicling the history of the Holocaust, woven with the personal stories of survivors who came to Virginia. Highlights include an authentic freight car used during the Third Reich, a full recreation of the Nuremberg Courtroom, Dimensions in Testimony interactive conversations with Holocaust survivors, and over 300 artifacts, photographs, and documents from survivors, liberators, and witnesses.

Question 11

What makes the Virginia Holocaust Museum different from other Holocaust museums?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Holocaust Museum tells the story of the Holocaust through a uniquely Virginia-centered lens. Every exhibit is woven with the stories of Holocaust survivors who came to Virginia after the war and rebuilt their lives here. Founded in 1997 by Holocaust survivor Jay Ipson and co-founders Mark Fetter and Al Rosenbaum, the Museum is housed in an 1899 former American Tobacco Company warehouse in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

Question 12

Is the Virginia Holocaust Museum appropriate for children?

Accepted Answer

The museum’s content is powerful and can be emotionally challenging. Many families and educators find it most appropriate for older children and teens. We encourage adults to consider the maturity level of younger visitors and to be prepared for conversation and questions after the visit.

Question 13

Is the Virginia Holocaust Museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Museum features accessible parking, accessible entrances, and accessible facilities throughout. For specific accessibility questions please call (804) 257-5400.

Question 14

How can I support the Virginia Holocaust Museum?

Accepted Answer

You can support the Virginia Holocaust Museum by becoming a member for free admission and year-round support, making a donation to fund exhibits and educational programs, volunteering or becoming a docent, or renting the museum's spaces for events. Visit vaholocaust.org/support-holocaust-education for more information.

Upcoming Events at the Museum

Events Calendar – Virginia Holocaust Museum