Library of Virginia to celebrate Virginia Archives Month with tours, archivist talks and more

RICHMOND, Va. – The Library of Virginia will celebrate Virginia Archives Month this October with tours, archivist talks and other events to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and sharing cultural and historical documents. This year’s theme, “Remember Me: Death and Memorial in the Archives,” celebrates the memorials in collections, whether that be cemetery registers, photographs, rolls of honor, funeral programs or even the buildings that house the archives.

Virginia Archives Month is part of the national observance of American Archives Month in October where archival institutions across the Commonwealth and nation celebrate archivists, showcase archival collections and highlight the importance of preserving and sharing historical records. Archives are unique assets that allow society to tell its story, hold governments accountable and safeguard the rights of its citizens.

The Library of Virginia’s Archives Month activities include:

Public Tours of the Library

Theater, Church, Monument and Memory: Exploring the History of Monumental Church

Archivist Talks & Records Displays | Saturday, Oct. 3, 1–2 p.m. and 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Library of Virginia and History Richmond (Monumental Church) staff will share the history of the Richmond Theater Fire and the construction of Monumental Church. Attendees will be introduced to the idea of archives as centers of memory and memorial by engaging with various government, private papers and special collections material.
Tours of Monumental Church | Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. (Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17280038) and 2:30 p.m. (Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17280050) at Monumental Church, 1224 E. Broad Street.

Archives Month Open House

Open House Tables | Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Library staff will share information about LVA programming including upcoming events and on-going volunteer opportunities.
Makers Station Activity | Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
A makers station will allow attendees to use images found in archival collections from across the Commonwealth to create their own Victorian mourning
Guided Tours | Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. (Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17145348 and 2 p.m. (Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17145444)
Library staff will take visitors through the Library's second floor, archival storage, special collections area and the digitization lab. card.

Online Webinars

Ghosts in the Archives | Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
Alena Pirok, author and assistant professor of history at the State University of New York at Cortland, will discuss the relationship between archives, history and ghost stories. Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17274807.
The Business of Death | Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
The Library will host a panel discussion about the history of death industries, featuring Andréa Livi Smith, Ph.D., professor of historic preservation at the University of Mary Washington; Kelly M. Brennan, Ph.D., senior historian for Colonial Williamsburg; and Paige Newman, manager of library cataloging and curator of library collections at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17277231.
Adapt or Die | Thursday, Oct. 27 at 12 p.m.
Anthony “A.J.” Orlikoff, director of programming at Congressional Cemetery, will discuss the role that historical cemeteries play as active sites of memory, education and civic life. Register at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/17311220.

Find more information about Virginia Archives Month 2026 at https://www.lva.virginia.gov/events/vam/2026. Programming assistance for these events is provided by the Friends of the Virginia State Archives.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA
The Library of Virginia is the leading source of information on Virginia’s history, government and people. The Library’s collections, containing more than 134 million items, document and illustrate the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens. Our online resources draw nearly 2 million website visits per year, and our on-site records, exhibitions and events bring in thousands of visitors annually. The Library is located in downtown Richmond near Capitol Square at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Learn more at www.lva.virginia.gov.

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