Gloucester Museum of History Receives 2024 Commonwealth History Fund Grant

The Gloucester Museum of History is one of fourteen organizations chosen to receive a grant from the Virginia Museum History & Culture’s (VMHC) Commonwealth History Fund. The Museum has been awarded $50,000 through the grant.

Housed within a 1770 masonry tavern, the Gloucester Museum of History plans to use this funding to develop and install dynamic exhibits within the second floor gallery, which houses the museum’s largest interior interpretive area. Known historically as the Tavern Ballroom, this room retrains original wooden floors and trim, and a fireplace. The existing exhibits were generously built by volunteers over 20 years ago, when the tavern became dedicated museum space operated by Gloucester County.

The new exhibits will be engaging and inclusive displays that complement the historic nature and original use of the space. The planning process for this undertaking will include significant opportunities for stakeholder engagement to discuss themes, histories, and topics that may belong in the new gallery. It is hoped that specific topics and themes may be identified through this public process, giving staff direction regarding future interpretation.

The VMHC, in partnership with Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources (DHR), awards grants to history organizations and projects throughout Virginia through its Commonwealth History Fund. There are several key selection criteria to be considered for the grants, including the significance of the project or resource, its impact on its community and the Commonwealth, the focus on historically underrepresented topics and communities, the need for funding, and urgency of the project.

One of the largest initiatives of its kind, the Commonwealth History Fund is expected to award up to $2,000,000 over its first five years. In 2023, the VMHC awarded $401,206 to fellow history organizations. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes including preservation, publications, artifact acquisition, research, conservation of artifacts and educational programming. Eligible recipients include Virginia non-profits, educational institutions, and state recognized Virginia Indian tribes. The Fund was made possible through the generosity of Dominion Energy and others.

“The opportunity for volunteers, interns, and citizens to actively participate in the exhibit planning and development process is exciting,” said Robert Kelly, Gloucester’s Museums Coordinator. “Since 1990, the Gloucester Museum of History has been an important part of the community, and this undertaking will strengthen our institution’s visibility and reach across the region. We are grateful to the Commonwealth History Fund for recognizing our institution and supporting our important work.”

Founded in 1651, Gloucester is one of the oldest counties in Virginia. Prior to English settlement, the area had been utilized for thousands of years by indigenous people. In addition to important Native American histories, Gloucester played a vital role during the American Revolution. The Battle of the Hook, the largest cavalry engagement during the Revolution, took place here. Gloucester was the home of leading African Americans such as Thomas Calhoun (T.C). Walker, Robert Russa Moton, and Irene Morgan, individuals who persisted during the oppressive Jim Crow Era to bring about local and national progress in the areas of education and Civil Rights.

“Gloucester’s history is dynamic and diverse,” Kelly added. “The goal for this new gallery is to educate, engage, and inspire students, locals, and the thousands of guests who come from across the nation to visit our beautiful county.”

This new area will become the “permanent” Gloucester history gallery and open in late-2025.