Name: American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington
Start: 2026-10-21
End: 2026-10-21

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society—a private, non-profit organization. The historical society is the oldest cultural organization in Virginia, and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the nation. For use in its state history museum and its renowned research library, the historical society cares for a collection of nearly nine million items representing the ever-evolving story of Virginia.

Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC)

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, headquartered in the Museum District in Richmond, is a history museum, research library, and educational facility all wrapped in one. The 184-year-old VHS features award-winning museum exhibitions about all kinds of Virginia-related topics. The Society is the only museum in the world with all of Virginia's history under one roof. The vast collections of the VHS includes 8 million manuscripts; 150,000 books; over 5,000 maps; 1,200 newspaper titles and 300 serials; more than 4,000 pieces of sheet music; more than 1,000 paintings; 200,000 photographs; and more than 25,000 museum objects including textiles, silver, furniture, weaponry, and more.

A hip place for south-of-the-border favorites and margaritas. Nightly events include poker, dancing and Sunday-night football. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday.

Bandito's Burrito Lounge

Floris’s robust rotating menu, steeped in inspirations from VMFA’s collections as well as various tea-centric regions, features globally inspired dishes, freshly baked breads, and curated Virginia teas. Take a mid-day escape and indulge in delightful pleasures for the palate, including expertly crafted blends from guest tea makers.

Floris at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA, which opened in 1936, is a state agency and privately endowed educational institution. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, and to encourage the study of the arts. Through the Office of Statewide Partnerships program, the museum offers curated exhibitions, arts-related audiovisual programs, symposia, lectures, conferences, and workshops by visual and performing artists. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection of art that spans more than 6,000 years. VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 40,000 artworks, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, and French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British sporting, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its history. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. For additional information, telephone 804-340-1400 or visit https://www.vmfa.museum/

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA, which opened in 1936, is a state agency and privately endowed educational institution. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, and to encourage the study of the arts. Through the Office of Statewide Partnerships program, the museum offers curated exhibitions, arts-related audiovisual programs, symposia, lectures, conferences, and workshops by visual and performing artists. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection of art that spans more than 6,000 years. VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 40,000 artworks, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, and French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British sporting, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its history. In 1944, only nine years after opening its doors, the VMFA acquired its first work by an African American artist. Since that time, the Museum has remained steadfast in building a collection reflective of the African American experience and expression. In 2015, the VMFA redoubled these efforts, launching an initiative to significantly deepen its holdings of African, African American and African Diasporic artists as a means to expand its connection to an ever growing diverse community. VMFA’s collection of African art, regarded as one of the most comprehensive in the United States, features figures, masks, textiles, regalia, and ritual objects from more than 100 cultures throughout the continent. The collection presents a coherent, broad-based view of the arts and cultural history in Africa from the first millennium BC to the present day. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. For additional information, telephone 804-340-1400 or visit https://www.vmfa.museum/

The E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden is part of one of the top comprehensive art museums in the U.S. The VMFA takes art outside for a memorable experience in an environment of changing light, climate and seasons. The 3 ½-acre Garden is an organic and free flowing space inspired by Virginia's waterfalls and woodland paths. Garden secret: VMFA is one of only eight U.S. art museums to feature a permanent installation of work by artist Dale Chihuly.

Whether you’re a fan of the Made in Turkey or the Son of a Beast, trust us — get your sandwich grilled.

Chiocca's Downstairs Deli & Bar

Amuse is a fun place to dine and hang out with your friends (our bar is one of Richmond’s worst-kept secrets), but we take our food and drink seriously. Chef Greg Haley creates his dishes using only the best of what’s in season, with a focus on local ingredients. And just like the works of art in the museum and on the walls of Amuse, we introduce new masterpiece dishes and cocktails on a regular basis. We also offer a varied choice of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Amuse

We’re a community of runners, hikers, bikers and ballplayers. We’re an outdoor playground, designed by Mother Nature, with class III and IV rapids running right through our downtown. A 52-mile bike trail runs along the James. The Richmond Marathon and Ukrop’s 10k are huge celebrations, and the whole region comes out to cheer on our local teams. In fact, we’re so sports-minded that the Washington Redskins have their training camp right in the center of the city. Add to that awesome hotels, beautiful venues, attractions, art, craft beer, more than 900 restaurants and a convenient location, and you’ve got a top choice for your next sports event. Welcome to RVA!

From indoor to outdoor facilities, the Richmond region has the fields, pitches, diamonds, venues and the dedicated staff to ensure your event is a huge success. 



Sports Richmond, VA

Join bestselling historian H. W. Brands for the 2026 J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr. Lecture on the life and leadership of George Washington.

From George Washington’s early military career and role among the Virginia gentry, to his leadership during the American Revolution and reluctant return to public service as the first president of the United States, *American Patriarch* brings to life the man who was called on time and again by his peers to lead. With a dazzling cast of characters—from the French and Indians on the Ohio frontier; to the Marquis de Lafayette, Benedict Arnold, and Baron von Steuben on the revolutionary battlefield; to Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton locked in conflict during his presidency—Brands’s new biography casts George Washington as the icon of American virtue who wrested America free from British control, gave credibility to the Constitution, and crafted the norms that would steady America as a nation for generations to follow. Arriving in time for the 250th anniversary of American independence, American Patriarch is a masterful portrait of Washington as the unrivaled leader of his times.

Dr. H. W. Brands holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin. He has written thirty books, coauthored or edited five others, and published dozens of articles and scores of reviews. His articles have appeared in the *New York Times*, the *Wall Street Journal*, the *Washington Post*, the *International Herald Tribune*, the *Boston Globe*, the *Atlantic Monthly*, the *Smithsonian*, the *National Interest*, the *American Historical Review*, the *Journal of American History*, the *Political Science Quarterly*, *American History*, and many other newspapers, magazines and journals. His writings have received critical and popular acclaim. *The First American* and *Traitor to His Class* were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book is *American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington*.

A book signing and light refreshments will follow the program.

*The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.*

American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington

Business Type

Has Promotions Available

Special Features