Archives Month | Theater, Church, Monument and Memory: Exploring the History of Monumental Church - Tour 1 p.m.

Join us as we explore the legacy of Monumental Church and the Richmond Theater Fire as part of this year’s Archives Month theme "Remember me: Death and Memorial in the Archives.”

In partnership with Historic Richmond, the Library is pairing items from its archival holdings with physical tours of Monumental Church. At the Library, you will be able to explore the history of the Richmond Theater Fire and the construction of Monumental Church and be introduced to the idea of archives as centers of memory and memorial by engaging with various government, private papers and special collections material.

Historic Richmond staff will be on site to present basic information about the physical site of Monumental church. Visitors can then opt to travel the four blocks to Monumental Church and participate in a tour by Historic Richmond to learn how architects designed the building as not only a place for worship, but as an enduring memorial.

• The Library of Virginia will host talks and display records from 1 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 800 E. Broad St. Richmond, VA
• Historic Richmond will host tours of Monumental Church from 1 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on site at 1224 E Broad St. Richmond, VA

Register with this link for the 1 p.m. tour.
Note: You may register for a 2:30 p.m. tour here.

This is a free event. Enjoy the information sessions throughout the day. For more information, contact Mary Ann Mason at maryann.mason@lva.virginia.gov or 804.692.3648.

Programming assistance is provided by the Friends of the Virginia State Archives, a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at friendsofvirginiaarchives.org.

Learn more about 2026 Archives Month programming at https://www.lva.virginia.gov/events/vam/2026.