The Valentine Richmond History Center houses three collections: Archives, General Collection, and Costume & Textiles. If you are interested in learning more about these collections or making an appointment to research objects, please make your request in writing as outlined below.

A small portion of our collection is now available in a complimentary searchable online database.

• Research Hours & Fees
• Rules for Researching the Collection
• Loan Requests (for Museums)

contact us

Research requests are handled through the Archives in the order received. Staff will respond within two business days. No phone calls, please.

Research Hours & Fees

Tuesday - Friday, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. by appointment only

$8 per person, per visit (free for History Center members); includes access to the Archives, admission to the History Center exhibition galleries and a guided tour of the Wickham House.

Staff consultation, access to the General or Costume & Textile collections, and other services incur additional costs. For a full fee schedule, see Research Fees. For reproduction and rights information, see Photographic Services: Productions and Permission Fees.

rules for researching the collection

1. All materials will remain in the respective research areas of the History Center.
2. The use of ink pens for note taking is prohibited. All note taking must be done in pencil.
3. No marks or erasures may be made on the documents or objects.
4. Copies of files are provided for the researcher’s study and educational use only. There is a photocopying fee for any copies made at the History Center.
5. Researchers will wear gloves provided by staff when handling collection items.
6. Fees associated with photocopying, photo sales or other History Center services are due and payable at the time of service.
7. Photography of collection item(s) or documents is not allowed without permission of staff. If permission is granted, photographs are bound by the terms of the terms of the History Center Photographic Services: Production and Permission Fees document.
8. Reproductions, replica, imitation, or copies of images and/or objects in the Valentine Richmond History Center collection is prohibited without written permission from the Valentine Richmond History Center.
9. The researcher is bound by the terms of the Photographic Services: Production and Permission Fees Document, a copy of which is provided at the time of registration.

Researchers are required to complete a Researchers Registration Form prior to accessing the collection acknowledging that they understand and are responsible for observing the above egulations. By signing this form, the researcher acknowledges that a violation of these regulations will result in prohibition from continued use of materials in the History Center Collection.

loan requests (For Museums)
Museums or institutions interested in borrowing items from the History Center's Collection are welcome to contact the Registrar, Jackie Mullins, at 804-649-0711, ext. 329 or jmullins@richmondhistorycenter.com.