The Library of Virginia Celebrates 200 Years!

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Conference Rooms | Free

200TH ANNIVERSARY LECTURE

The Origins of the Library of Virginia's Book Collections

The Library of Virginia was founded by the General Assembly on Jan. 24, 1823, to organize, care for and manage the state's growing collection of books and official records, many of which date back to the early colonial period. Join us on this momentous anniversary date for a talk by historian and author Brent Tarter on the origins of the Library's book collections. A few books from the Library's earliest days will be on display and our new exhibition, 200 Years, 200 Stories, will be open for viewing. Learn more and register.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Lecture Hall & Lobby | Free

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PANEL DISCUSSION

The First Civil Rights:
Black Political Activism After Claiming Freedom

Join the Library of Virginia and Virginia Humanities to celebrate the completion of a signature project to document the lives and achievements of Virginia's first Black legislators. Editors of the Library's Dictionary of Virginia Biography joined this project in 2011 in collaboration with the commonwealth's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission to research and write the definitive life histories of the 92 African American men who served in the General Assembly from 1869 to 1890. Their stories are now part of the collective digital story of our state thanks to the collaboration with Encyclopedia Virginia, a rich online resource published by Virginia Humanities. Panelists for the program, moderated by Virginia Humanities executive director Matthew Gibson, will include the Honorable Viola Baskerville, one of the founders of the project; Lauranett Lee, public historian and University of Richmond adjunct assistant professor; Ajena Rogers, supervisory park ranger at the National Park Service's Maggie L. Walker Historic Site and a descendant of Black legislator James A. Fields; and historian and author Brent Tarter, a retired editor with the Library of Virginia.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Klaczynski at 804.692.3536 or elizabeth.klaczynski@lva.virginia.gov.
Register here.

Friday, March 3, 2023 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Lobby & Conference Rooms | Free

First Fridays at LVA | Collections

Venture east from Richmond's Arts District for quarterly First Fridays at the Library of Virginia! Join us to enjoy refreshments and view an art exhibition by Virginia artists as well as our 200 Years, 200 Stories exhibition; listen to open mic poetry, prose or music; and take part in a “creation station.” March's theme is Collections Show and Tell. Learn about archival preservation—you can bring in your own items for evaluation and conservation recommendations—and see displays of Library items to spark ideas for creating something with your own collections. Learn more.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Lecture Hall | Free

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PANEL DISCUSSION

A Woman's Place is in the House...of Delegates

In 1923 the first women won election to the Virginia House of Delegates. In the century since then, 109 women have served in the House, with a record number of 37 women in 2023. Join the Library of Virginia in celebrating a century of Women in the House. Jennifer L. Lawless, Commonwealth Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, will moderate a discussion with Del. Carrie E. Coyner, Del. Charniele L. Herring and Del. Vivian E. Watts on the challenges, opportunities and changes they have experienced in Capitol Square. Register here.

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Lobby & Conference Rooms | Free

First Fridays at LVA | Place

Venture east from Richmond's Arts District for quarterly First Fridays at the Library of Virginia! Join us to enjoy refreshments and view an art exhibition by Virginia artists as well as our 200 Years, 200 Stories exhibition; listen to open mic poetry, prose or music; and take part in a "creation station." June's theme is Maps: Your Place in Virginia. Make your own map listing places lived in Virginia, your path to the commonwealth or your favorite locale. Learn More.

Friday, July 7, 2023 | 5:30–8:00 p.m. | Lobby & Lecture Hall | Free

A Celebration of Virginia Folklife | Reception, Film Screening & Program

The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities present a two-day celebration of Virginia's rich folklife heritage. On July 7, 5:30–8:00 p.m., join us for a reception, a screening of short documentary films and a stage program honoring four Richmond-area teams in the Virginia Folklife Program's apprenticeship program. The program supports artists in the continuation of living traditions. Featured artists include artisans, musicians and dancers. Register here.

Saturday, July 8, 2023 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. | Lobby | Free

A Celebration of Virginia Folklife | Performances, Displays & Activities

The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities present a two-day celebration of Virginia's rich folklife heritage. On July 8, 12:00–4:00 p.m., join us for performances, displays and activities highlighting old and new Virginia musical traditions including blues, Bomba and Plena, fiddling, shape-note singing and more. The Library will also display rare items from our music collections and provide activities for young visitors.

Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Lobby & Conference Rooms | Free

First Fridays at LVA | Stories

Venture east from Richmond's Arts District for quarterly First Fridays at the Library of Virginia! Join us to enjoy refreshments and view an art exhibition by Virginia artists as well as our 200 Years, 200 Stories exhibition; listen to open mic poetry, prose or music; and take part in a "creation station." August's theme is Your Virginia Story. Use prompts and hashtags to record your own story. Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023

Virginia Literary Awards Celebration

Over the past 25 years, the annual Virginia Literary Awards have become the commonwealth's premier celebration honoring Virginia writers and their contributions to literature. Award categories are nonfiction, fiction and poetry, as well as People's Choice Awards for fiction and nonfiction. Our special 2023 edition will celebrate past award finalists and winners. Mark your calendar for our Literary Awards Celebration and help us wrap up our anniversary year in style.

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Lobby & Conference Rooms | Free

First Fridays at LVA | Traditions

Venture east from Richmond's Arts District for quarterly First Fridays at the Library of Virginia! Join us to enjoy refreshments and view an art exhibition by Virginia artists as well as our 200 Years, 200 Stories exhibition; listen to open mic poetry, prose or music; and take part in a "creation station." December's theme is Capture Your Traditions. View cookbooks, scrapbooks and music ephemera from the Library's collections and create your own mini-book. Learn more.