Celebrate Gloucester’s 375th and America’s 250th at the Museum of History! W. Robert Kelly, Jr., Historic Resources Supervisor Gloucester County Parks, Recreation & Tourism.
Throughout 2026, Gloucester County, Virginia, proudly celebrates two milestones: the nation’s 250th anniversary and the county’s 375th birthday. Established in 1651, Gloucester stands among America’s oldest counties, with a history as complex as it is inspiring. That story comes to life at the Gloucester Museum of History. Housed within a tavern constructed in 1770, the Museum is located on Main Street in the heart of picturesque Gloucester Courthouse.
Visitors of all ages can explore the county’s past through engaging exhibitions, artifacts, and interactive experiences that connect Gloucester to national stories of innovation, heroism, and sacrifice.
In late 2025, the Museum unveiled a $130,000 exhibit to mark the 250 and 375th commemorations. Located on the second floor, believed to have once been the tavern’s ballroom, the new exhibit features engaging images, artifacts, and interactives, while showcasing the ballroom’s original 18th-century hardwood floors and window trim that evoke the ambiance of Colonial Williamsburg.
Among the Museum’s most inspiring exhibits is Awakening: The Life & Legacy of T.C. Walker, which chronicles the journey of Gloucester’s first African American lawyer. Other visitor favorites include The Art of Carving: The Decoys of William McKinley Smith, featuring twenty-five hand-carved duck decoys, and Commerce Meets Community: Gloucester’s Country Stores, which brings the past to life with over fifty artifacts and several 120-year-old ledger books. An exhibit also shares the story of the 1781 Battle of the Hook, the largest cavalry battle of the American Revolution and key allied victory that contributed to the surrender at Yorktown.
The Museum and nearby Courtcircle offer a complete experience. Guests can explore historic buildings, including the 1766 Courthouse, one of the oldest in Virginia. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is free. https://gloucesterva.gov/museum-of-history
