After more than 20 years in the making the first phase of the Virginia National Guard and Fort Pickett Museum was dedicated in February 2012 in Building 1315 (site of the World War II post headquarters) at Fort Pickett. It features artifacts and stories of the role played by the Virginia Guard (Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force) since 9/11. In April 2012 a second room, highlighting the history of Fort Pickett since World War II, was opened and is ready for viewing. As more resources become available the storyline will be pushed back in time until it eventually reaches our beginning at Jamestown in 1607. But to do this we need your help.
How You Can Help
This is YOUR museum to tell YOUR stories. To assure its success we need YOUR generous cash donation to help us expand our efforts to tell the story of Virginia Guard service to Commonwealth and country. The museum is operated by the Virginia National Guard Historical Society, a 501c(3) tax exempt, for educational purposes, organization. Monies donated are used help to cover the expense of purchasing display cases and exhibit support items such as torso forms as well as producing high-quality graphics and labels for our displays. Other monies are used to properly catalog and store the items of the collection when not on display.
We also need artifacts, including uniforms, equipment (personal and unit), photographs, maps, artwork and other documents used in the course of your Virginia Guard duty in peace and war. Our current collection already includes such items, with a few even predating the Civil War, but to acquire more and earlier pieces, selected purchases will need to be made for specific objects. To do this will also require funds.
Without the active support of its members, past and present, this museum, dedicated to telling the more than 400-year Virginia Guard story, will not succeed. Please support YOUR museum so you, your family and the general public will gain a greater appreciation of the service and sacrifice the men and women of the Virginia Guard have played in history of our state and nation.
Visitation and Contact Information
Currently, due to limited staff availability, museum hours are by appointment only. Please email ahead to be sure someone is available to have the exhibits open. If no one answers leave your name and a call back number and someone will call you to set up a time for your visit. There is no email capability so you must call to arrange a visit.
Contact Information:
Location:
Building 1315-1316, East Parade Road, Fort Pickett
Come in door marked “Entrance”
Mailing address:
Virginia National Guard Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 482
Blackstone, VA 23824
Donations:
Currently accepted by Paypal at
or request information to treasurer@vnghs.org.
For Virginia National Guard Historical Society Membership information click here.