Past events

Read and discuss the best of today’s Virginia literature—including books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction. On the second Wednesday evening of each month, join a book group discussion online through Zoom at 6:00 PM. This month, we’ll discuss “Children Under Fire: An American Crisis” by John Woodrow Cox (finalist for 2022 Literary Awards in Nonfiction). Next month, we’ll discuss “My Monticello” by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (winner of 2022 Literary Award for Fiction).…

Break out of the work week routine with a dose of hot verse at Firehouse. Featuring showcase poets and an open mic sign up for those with a verse or two to drop, and a cash bar with happy hour specials. It’s a great way to make the most of a long day. Want to get heard yourself? Open mic signup is onsite starting at 5:45. ​​Come catch the night on fire with us!

Movement and play are good for children’s bodies and brains. In fact, movement can help increase memory, perception, language comprehension, attention, emotional understanding, and decision making! Join us from 2-2:30 pm in the Downtown Playhouse for Tutus and Ties Tuesdays, where we’ll dress up and move, move, move! This event is free with Museum admission.

Read and discuss compelling nonfiction books handpicked by Library staff that explore Virginia history, society, and culture. This month, we’ll discuss “Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win World War II” by Robert K. Sutton. For the second half of the evening, the author will be joining us for a short Q&A! Check your local public library to borrow titles, or purchase through the Virginia Shop or other online retailers. Please check out our monthly Common…

Join our CMoR Play Guides every Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:30pm in the Art Studio for structured craft time. We’ll explore new materials and creative skills while making something fun to take home! This program is ideal for ages 2-5 years. This program is free with Museum Admission.

VMFA proudly welcomes author Dr. Robert Levine—prolific scholar of American literature—for a book signing and talk about the life of Frederick Douglass during the Reconstruction period. Levine will discuss Douglass’s fight for equal rights for African Americans, his contentious engagements with US president Andrew Johnson, and Douglass’s famous anti-lynching speech, “Lessons of the Hour.” Levine’s book “The Failed Promise: Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass, and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson” will be available for purchase in the VMFA Shop. This special program…

Movement and play are good for children’s bodies and brains. In fact, movement can help increase memory, perception, language comprehension, attention, emotional understanding, and decision making! Join us from 2-2:30 pm in the Downtown Playhouse for Tutus and Ties Tuesdays, where we’ll dress up and move, move, move! This event is free with Museum admission.

Join our CMoR Play Guides every Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:30pm in the Art Studio for structured craft time. We’ll explore new materials and creative skills while making something fun to take home! This program is ideal for ages 2-5 years. This program is free with Museum Admission.

Join us at the Library for a talk on “Capitol Secrets: Leadership Wisdom from a Lifetime of Public Service,” a new memoir by William H. “Bill” Leighty, senior strategic advisor to the dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Podcaster and journalist Zach Cooley will lead Leighty in a conversation about his insider’s view of the complex workings of government at a very high level — the Office of the Governor.…