The Virginia Museum of History & Culture announces that the Rockbridge Historical Society has been selected as one of the inaugural members of its newly launched Virginia History Affiliates program.
Organized and funded by the VMHC, this professional museum collective is designed to connect historical sites, history museums and related organizations of all sizes from across the commonwealth. The initial group of 24 affiliates will collaborate in four key areas: education and engagement; professional connection; collections and preservation; and sustainability.
“The Rockbridge Historical Society and hundreds of other history organizations are doing essential work in their communities throughout Virginia. Until the creation of Virginia History Affiliates there has been little organized, collaborative effort to bring us together statewide,” said Jamie Bosket, president and CEO of the VMHC. “As we approach America’s 250th, we see an opportunity to create a lasting legacy by expanding our role as Virginia’s state history museum, and by investing — in a major and lasting way — in the outstanding local and regional history organizations like RHS serving our Commonwealth.”
By building purposeful connections among institutions statewide, the Virginia History Affiliates program will expand access to educational tools and programming, create stronger professional connections among institutions, support broad collections stewardship and preservation work, and provide for timely sustainability efforts. As the program grows, the cohort will be able to reciprocate and share opportunities with each other and the VMHC.
Rockbridge Historical Society Executive Director Eric Wilson reflected on the strengthening ties and outcomes of prior partnerships, both with the VMHC, and regional peers across the Shenandoah Valley: “I’d warmly echo Penny Imeson, my counterpart and ally at Harrisonburg’s Rocktown History, who closed the first virtual meeting of our new team of Affiliates by affirming that this program ‘helps us all stand a little taller in our state and national museum community.’ Within and beyond this regional network, readier access for object loans, grant funding, and joint projects will amplify our distinctive capacities and extend our cultural compass. Collectively, our own institutional and shared resources can further lead the current and next generations of Virginians to new appreciations of — and advocacy for — our commonwealth’s significance.”
Representing a multi-million-dollar, long-term commitment from the VMHC to strengthening history work happening throughout Virginia, the program is offered at no cost to participating organizations, and aims to add more than 100 affiliates within just a few years.
