Take a guided tour of the historic house museum and gardens focusing on life in a 16th century manor. Then stay for a garden distilling demonstration. This tour is offered twice; please register for only one. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Friday, June 26, Agecroft Hall
Friday, Aug 21, Agecroft Hall

This guided tour will include early foundational pieces through to recent acquisitions, all supporting the museum's mission to 'collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.' Stay afterward to socialize in the Best Cafe.

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Wednesday, July 22, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Come celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our nation with a program focusing on a retrospective look on the birth of our country. Using artworks produced from the early 19th to the early 21st centuries, we will explore how artists have depicted the people and events of the Revolutionary War period.

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Monday, June 15, Synchronous Online

Darkness, fear, and instability sometimes inundate our daily lives, but folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomies of our existence: the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. She is at once a hag and an enchantress, a demon and a wish granter, a feminist and a fairytale. Understanding ourselves can sometimes be only a matter of turning to a bony-legged old woman who lives deep in the Eastern European woods.

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Tuesday, June 16, TBD - UR Campus

This is the story of New Jersey Mayor Frank 'I Am the Law' Hague, one of the 20th century's most powerful politicians. Hague built his organization on kickbacks and gambling, but also on his voters' appreciation for safe streets and free healthcare. Hague gained FDR's protection through remarkable election pluralities, but his successors, though equally canny and corrupt, were unable to avoid federal prosecution.

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Wed, Aug 19, TBD - UR Campus

This interactive class will use case study methodology to study history via the book 'Democracy: A Case Study' by David Moss (2017). You will role-play the decision makers of the day as you analyze problems that eventually led to momentous decisions in our nation's history. Experience history in a more immersive way.

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Thursdays, July 23, 30, Aug 6, 13, 20, Synchronous Online

Documentary Screening: Fine artist Dora Fugh Lee was born to a noble family in China. In this Emmy-nominated film produced for PBS and narrated by Rose Nan-Ping Chen, Lee's compelling life and art are explored. She is considered one of the last Chinese literati painters. After the film there will be a panel discussion with the director E. Samantha Cheng, followed by a reception. Then join us for One Man Show and Book Launch: Jesse Appell is an independent creative, entrepreneur and intercultural comedian based in Beijing who uses comedy as a means to bridge cultural divides between China and the West.

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No session is currently available for registration

Critical thinking is important for many reasons, including being a better citizen. As conspiracy theories abound, studying and analyzing the facts, evidence, and truth becomes increasingly important. We will cover the challenges, logic, the fallacies, and the solutions in arriving at the best conclusions. Insights into the brain as well as why science represents the ultimate in evidence-based decisions will be studied. Approaches to critical thinking and the best fact-checking sites will be covered.

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No session is currently available for registration

Enjoy a Curator-led tour the Maymont Mansion. This in depth tour will explore the history of Maymont, the Dooleys, and the Gilded Age. This tour is offered twice; please register for only one. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Friday, July 17, Maymont Mansion
Friday, July 24, Maymont Mansion

Join this 'behind the scenes' look at disaster management through lens of the Office of the Governor of Virginia. From school shootings to hurricanes and other natural disasters to snipers and mass shootings, we'll look closely at the roles, responsibilities and actions of senior leadership during major emergencies.

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Monday, Aug 3, TBD - UR Campus

Islam's entry into the Indian subcontinent was a gradual process spanning several centuries, primarily through trade and later through military conquest. Arab traders established contact with India initially on the western coast along the Gujarat and Malabar areas. These Arab traders became the key figures in introducing faith to the region. Evidence suggest early Muslim settlements began along the coast with mosques being built as early as the 7th century.

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No session is currently available for registration

Let's talk about planning for the future. How can you ensure that your preferences and directives for your financial assets are carried out correctly? We'll discuss the legal options available to assist in making the best decisions. Elder Law will also be discussed. Questions are welcome!

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Tuesday, May 12, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156

This class is for individuals who have Family Tree Maker (FTM) and want a better understanding of the software and to build skills. The following will be covered: overview of features (including the 2024 version); techniques on navigating and using FTM to create, edit and manage trees; interfacing with Ancestry.com for hints; importing data; and syncing trees. Students should bring their laptops with FTM installed for use in class.

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Tues and Thurs, Aug 4 and 6, TBD - UR Campus

Socrates was notorious for asking prominent Athenians ethical questions they could not answer. Eventually some retaliated by prosecuting him. At trial, he argued that everyone aspiring to lead a good life should ask such questions of themselves and others. In this class we will explore the 'Socratic method' and how Socrates inspired the young Plato to develop Socrates' questions into the major philosophical movement we now call Platonism.

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Tuesday, June 2, TBD - UR Campus

FIELD TRIP Since 1976, St. John's Church Foundation has presented historical reenactments of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775 at its original location. Come hear Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, who will engage in the arguments of the Second Virginia Convention, leading to Patrick Henry's immortal words 'Give me liberty or give me death!' Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Saturday, July 4, Historic St. John's Church

Since 1976, St. John's Church Foundation has presented historical reenactments of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775 at its original location. Come hear Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington argue over the Second Virginia Convention, leading to Patrick Henry's immortal words 'Give me liberty or give me death!' The enactment will be followed by the program 'Oh Henry! A Revolutionary Life.' Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Sunday, June 7, Historic St. John's Church

We'll begin each session with the biographies of the great scientists who started revolutions in cosmology, quantum physics, relativity and biology/evolution. The second hour will detail what the science itself is, where it has come from, and where we now are in the realm of that science.

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Mondays, July 6, 13, 20, 27, TBD - UR Campus

This exhibition explores the many people who, over centuries, have made Virginia the unique place it is in America and in the world, and discusses the dramatic impact of the immigrant experience throughout Virginia's history as people arrived from the four corners of the globe. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, May 14 NOTE: Please note the adjusted 1pm start time. , Virginia Museum of History and Culture (1 seats (4%) remaining)
Friday, July 31, Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Friday, Aug 21, Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Book a guided tour of the world's finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe's artifacts and personal items. Learn about Poe's tragic life and how it influenced his famous tales of terror. Leave with a greater understanding of the Master of the Macabre and his literary legacy. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Friday, July 24, The Poe Museum

The newly published 2026 Dietary Guidelines have turned the old 1980 Food Pyramid on its head: literally. This presentation explains why 75% of Americans are overweight and sick following the old dietary advice. Your journey starts with our hominin beginnings, when we ate a diet natural to humans, through the 'franken-foods' we consume today. Learn the benefits of the new guidelines and how you can restore your health.

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Tuesday, July 7, TBD - UR Campus

This offering adopts a hybrid structure. Several weeks before the in-person session, participants will receive a link to a video presentation. After watching the video on their own time, participants will use a simple Google form to share any questions about recent shifts in immigration policy and the impacts of those shifts. The instructor will use these questions to organize the 90-minute in-person session, which will be a mixture of presentation, discussion and joint exploration.

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Monday, July 27, TBD - UR Campus

Are you curious about Mahjong? Mahjong is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world. Join us to learn how to play this game of skill, strategy, and luck.

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Tuesdays, Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, TBD - UR Campus

Our engaging educators will lead your group through the Gilded Age home of James and Sallie May Dooley. Learn the story of the Dooleys and how this 33-room gift to the city of Richmond came to be, discover how the house was run by the domestic staff during the Jim Crow era, and enjoy the collection and the architecture of one of the most well-preserved homes of the Victorian Era in Virginia. Fees are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your slot.

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No session is currently available for registration

Musicals have shaped American theater, from Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated classics of midcentury. We will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the rise of European mega-productions, then spotlight influential composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors, and performers. We'll touch on landmark shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, and more. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tuesdays, July 21, 28, Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, Synchronous Online

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it revolutionized American travel and transportation: but it was inspired by Europe's earlier canal networks. In this course, we will trace French, British, and Irish canals of the 17th and 18th centuries, then follow the story into the 19th century as we examine American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. We will explore how canals reflect politics and ambitions and why they remain vital to shipping today. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, Synchronous Online

Let's study the Deaf Culture in the United States and explore what defines this community as a cultural minority. We will examine cultural identity, group norms, social interaction, values, and traditions, while emphasizing awareness, diversity, and language preservation. We will investigate how modern technology shapes community life, along with emerging issues, trends, and advocacy. We will also discuss communication, terminology, educational alternatives, legislation, and community resources. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13, Synchronous Online

Explore a century of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. This course introduces the American Sign Museum's origins and features a conversation with its founder about why signs matter. We will examine how signs have evolved due to trends in commerce and technology and explore case studies. In the final session, we will take a virtual visit to ASM's neon shop to see how a neon sign is made. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Fridays, July 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, 28, Synchronous Online

In this course, we will explore a wide range of horticultural practices with something to offer no matter our experience level or where we live. We will cover container gardening, aquatic gardens, ornamental and fruiting plants, bonsai, landscape design, and pest management. Each week, we will focus on a theme and examine design ideas, plant choices, and long-term care practices for success. Wherever we garden, we can find plenty to learn and enjoy in horticulture. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug 4, 11, Synchronous Online

The Declaration of Independence shaped Americans long after the Revolution. This course will examine how people in Washington, D.C. invoked the Declaration and its ideas after independence: from city planners shaping the capital to Union soldiers defending it during the Civil War. We will explore how the Declaration was used to advance causes and define the nation's identity. Featuring museum artifacts from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, this course will trace D.C.'s early history. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13, Synchronous Online

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, let's look at our indispensable founder, George Washington: his life, political leadership, and roles as farmer, entrepreneur, and architect. We will also explore the groundbreaking Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which has owned and managed Mount Vernon since 1858, launching the American historic preservation movement. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Mondays, July 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17, Synchronous Online

What makes an Oriental rug so captivating: the elegant design, intricate pattern, or mysterious origins? Join us to discover the stories woven into these textiles. We will trace the history and artistry of carpet weaving across Asia and North Africa, with examples spanning over two millenia. Using expert insights and vivid images, we will explore carpet-making from Anatolia, Iran, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and Central Asia, learning to spot weaving traditions, historical periods, purposes, and production. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Mondays, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 3, 10, Synchronous Online

Often overlooked in traditional design and architecture courses, 20th century women designers profoundly shaped how we perceive and experience built environments, interiors, and decorative objects. We will touch on Elsie de Wolfe, Eileen Gray, Lilly Reich, Charlotte Perriand, Dorothy Draper, Ray Eames, and Zaha Hadid and consider their lives and enduring designs within social and political contexts. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wednesdays, July 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, 19, Synchronous Online

As one newspaper reporter stated, 'She couldn't stand a reputation as a back-seat driver, so she flew the Atlantic herself: solo.' Join us as we navigate the journey of Amelia Earhart, record-breaking aviator and first female to fly solo across the United States!

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No session is currently available for registration

The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 1 is 'What Can the Declaration of Independence Teach Us About Artificial Intelligence.' The session begins with the lecture, is followed by a half-hour break, then resumes with Q&A.

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Wednesday, July 8, Synchronous Online

The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 5: 'Is AI Leading Us Toward a More Dangerous World Disorder?' The session begins with the lecture, is followed by a half-hour break, then resumes with Q&A.

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Wed, Aug 5, Synchronous Online

Examine several of the Nuremberg Trials, including the Doctors' trial and the Einsatzgruppen Trial, and learn how the world reacted to the convictions of the captured Nazi leaders.

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Mondays; June 1, 8, 15, 22, TBD - UR Campus

From 1921 to 1948, Paul Sachs offered a yearlong program in museum training at Harvard University's Fine Arts Department. This class will explore his 'Museum Course' curriculum and how Sachs and his students shaped the development and character of art museums in the 20th century.

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Tuesdays, June 9, TBD - UR Campus

The Munich Agreement has been described as one of the most ignominious failures in diplomatic history and a lesson that appeasement of dictators never works. This course will look at that fateful meeting, not as a singular event but in the larger context of Great Britain's search for security in Europe between the two world wars. We will attempt to see the world as they saw it, without the advantages of hindsight.

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Tuesdays, May 5 and 12, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156 ( No seats currently available )

The Library of Virginia (LVA) is a key resource for Virginia genealogy research and for many surrounding states. The LVA has the most comprehensive collection of Virginia genealogy materials ranging from the earliest colonial times to the present. This class is designed to give you a foundational understanding of the LVA's collections (online and on-site) and suggest how to focus your research, and it includes a tour and hands-on research at the LVA.

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Tuesday and Thursday, July 7 and 9 (Tuesday on campus, Thursday at the Library of VA), Library of Virginia

In the popular imagination, lethal injection is a slight pinch and a swift nodding off to forever-sleep, performed by well-qualified medical professionals which is regulated and carefully conducted, and certainly the most 'humane' form of capital punishment. In reality, not one of these statements is true. Lethal injection is nothing like what people think. This is its untold story.

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Mondays; June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13 & 20, Synchronous Online

Do you want to learn ways that you can take care of your family treasures? Join this conservator whose 29-year career has involved taking care of decorative arts, cultural heritage, and archaeological artifacts. She will use her wealth of experience to teach you some basic ways that you can care for your own treasures at home and give you advice on how to find the right archival materials and information for your family treasures.

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Thurs, Aug 20, TBD - UR Campus

'The Buried Cause: Unearthing Hidden History in the Lee Monument Cornerstone' is about the stories uncovered after the boxes under the Lee monuments were opened. Hears stories about the people who donated objects, who was not included, and a book found in the box placed by the builder of the monument. The editors will be happy to sign books you bring with you (available through Amazon), but there will be no sales at this lecture.

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Wednesday, July 15, TBD - UR Campus

The End of WWII and Origins of the Cold War program will provide an overview of key WWII dates and events including the Tehran Conference, Yalta Conference, Potsdam Conference, VE Day, VJ Day, and related activities followed by a general discussion of the Berlin Airlift, US propaganda cartoons, Duck and Cover drills, the Korean War, the election of president Eisenhower, and the Hungarian Revolution. A book signing will follow.

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Monday, Aug 10, TBD - UR Campus

While we celebrate our nation's 250th year, learn about a critical and fascinating figure. Benjamin Franklin's prot?g?, he was an inventor, from a new quill for the harpsichord to a national identity. He designed the images printed on our currency and the Stars and Stripes itself. He initiated an art music tradition, was the de facto first Secretary of the Navy, a federal judge, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Meet Francis Hopkinson.

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Tuesday, June 30, TBD - UR Campus

Come engage in discussion about a Richmond native's lived experience of the ICE Surge in Minnesota. We will explore how the ICE surge impacted daily life and the local economy, and the debate it ignited over due process, safety, federal power, protest, and community organizing.

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Monday, June 8, Synchronous Online

From 1500 to 1850 the Americas channeled wealth through the Caribbean to Europe. This wealth enriched the elite of Europe and built imperial empires, but it hollowed out the Caribbean. For the past 200 years it has been the hopeful resilience of the Caribbean people that has kept them looking for a solution to this paradox.

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Mondays, Aug 3 and 10, TBD - UR Campus

This course will survey the elements of the strategic nuclear triad used by both the US and USSR during the Cold War to maintain peace through deterrence. The course will examine respective triad concepts, organization, benefits, and limitations, along with a survey of the systems (aircraft, missiles, and ballistic missile submarines) used by the US during the Cold War. The course will also survey US defenses deployed to counter elements of the Soviet nuclear triad.

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Thursday, Aug 13, TBD - UR Campus

The Texas Creation Myth begins with the Alamo trinity (Jim Bowie, William B. Travis, and Davy Crockett) who, according to the mythology, sacrificed themselves at the Alamo on March 6, 1836. We will explore how these figures are presented in the mythology as well as two female figures, Susanna Dickenson and Emily 'Morgan' West. The template created in this creation myth is currently being used to determine how history will be presented at Alamo Plaza.

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Tuesday, June 16, TBD - UR Campus

Prior to his death, Thomas Jefferson left behind specific instructions for the monument that was to mark his grave. He requested the following epitaph: 'Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia.' These contributions were, in his words, the 'testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered.' Historian Michael Aubrecht tells the remarkable tale of the creation of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and the impact it continues to have today.

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Wednesday, July 8, Synchronous Online

US veterans living in Virginia: don't let your story fade away. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has awarded Words of Veterans grants to help Veterans like you keep your story alive! Let's talk about how you can contribute.

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Tuesday, June 16, Synchronous Online

Prior to 'First Contact' with Europeans, the land now called Virginia was highly populated and had a strong societal hierarchy. Let's explore the arrival, development and way of life of the early inhabitants of Tsenecomoco, the Algonquin name for Virginia. We'll address historical relations between Europeans and the Indigenous residents since 'First Contact' through modern times.

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Wednesdays, July 15 and 22, TBD - UR Campus

Tour the Virginia War Memorial to learn about the more than 1,200 Virginia veterans still missing in action (MIA). This exhibit will feature photos, letters, and other materials related to those Virginians still MIA. Additionally, the exhibit will explore the scientific process behind searching for and recovering the remains of those individuals by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

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Friday, July 17, Virginia War Memorial

First offered in 2017, Washington in our Wallets returns, with new material examining the Trump tax changes. After examining Britain's attempts to tax the colonists and 19th century attempts at taxation, we'll trace the development of the income tax from essentially a supplementary tax on a relatively few high income taxpayers to a more broadly based tax that accounts for the bulk of federal tax revenue, concluding with the 2017 and 2025 legislation.

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Wednesdays, July 29, Aug 5 and 12, Synchronous Online

Who were the commander-in-chief's subordinate generals? Find out who they were, as well as their backgrounds, relations with Washington, Congress, and each other.

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No session is currently available for registration

Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.

Join Valentine museum staff for a guided tour of West by Water: Richmond's James River and Kanawha Canal. Featuring photographs from Richmond photographer John Henley and descriptions from writer Harry Kollatz, Jr., the exhibit explores the city's historic canal system, which even after two centuries remains elusive and mysterious to resident and visitor alike. This tour is offered twice; please register for only one. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Friday, Aug 7, Valentine Museum
Friday, Aug 7, Valentine Museum

Join this class to explore the life of Barbara Johns. We will uncover the circuitous path to finally placing her statue in the US Capitol this January. We will also focus on the backstory with Johns as the student leader of the successful strike at the Prince Edward County, Robert Russa Moton High School. How did a 16-year-old African American girl have the courage to lead a peaceful revolt that changed America?

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Monday, June 22, TBD - UR Campus