The museum building was originally a tobacco warehouse constructed by the American Tobacco Company.
The core exhibit, 'Witness to History,' incorporates original boxcars used to transport prisoners during the Holocaust.
Many of the exhibits are curated based on the personal collections of Holocaust survivors who settled in Richmond.
The museum hosts the 'Richmond Holocaust Survivor Registry,' a digital and physical archive of local survivors.
It is one of the few Holocaust museums in the United States that emphasizes the post-war arrival and integration of survivors into a specific American state.
The Virginia Holocaust Museum is housed in a restored 1919 tobacco warehouse in Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom district. The institution focuses on the stories of Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Virginia after the war. Exhibits follow a chronological path, starting with the rise of the Nazi party and moving through the ghettos, concentration camps, and final liberation. The museum utilizes personal artifacts, survivor testimonies, and large-scale photo murals to document the genocide. It serves as a regional center for Holocaust education, professional teacher training, and academic research. The building retains original architectural features such as exposed brick and timber framing. It is currently open to the public with free admission.
The museum's entrance foyer, which features the striking, rugged industrial architecture of the original warehouse.
Allow extra time to read the lengthy survivor testimonials displayed on the wall panels.
Check the museum's calendar online before visiting as they frequently host private educational seminars.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the Shockoe Bottom historic district to understand the area's industrial past.
Do not treat the museum as a quick walk-through; the depth of the text and archival materials requires focused attention.
Closed on Saturdays.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor throughout the galleries; photography of specific restricted exhibits may be prohibited.
