Black and white nighttime scene at Rural Retreat train station with a steam locomotive on the left emitting smoke, and a railroad worker holding a light standing on the tracks near the station building.

Explore the Stories of Western Virginia

From iconic photographs and historic artifacts to exhibitions, collections, and landmarks, discover the people, places, and moments that shaped our region and continue to inspire it today.

History is
Everywhere

The story of western Virginia is told through the people who built our communities, the industries that fueled growth, the innovations that changed daily life, and the moments that shaped generations.

At the Historical Society of Western Virginia, you'll find more than a museum. You'll discover a collection of experiences that connect the past to the present through exhibitions, artifacts, photographs, historic sites, and stories that belong to all of us.

Whether you're a lifelong history enthusiast or simply curious about the place you call home, there's always something new to explore.

Discover Our Museums & Sites

Every museum and historic site offers a different perspective on the story of Western Virginia. Together, they create a richer understanding of the people, places, and events that shaped our region.

Black and white photo of two men standing among vintage photography equipment, including large studio lights with reflectors, cameras on tripods, and various cables neatly coiled on the floor, with boxes labeled Superflash Sylvania Electric on the right side.

O. Winston Link Museum

Experience the extraordinary photography of O. Winston Link, whose iconic images captured the final days of steam railroading in America. Through sound, light, and storytelling, his work preserves a defining moment in transportation history and the communities it touched.

Sepia-toned vintage street scene showing pedestrians walking, early 20th-century cars parked and moving, and a busy market with vendors and goods outside a large brick building with business signs and a clock.

Roanoke History Museum

Discover the stories behind the city's growth, innovation, neighborhoods, businesses, and cultural traditions. Through artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits, the Roanoke History Museum connects visitors to the people and events that shaped our community.

Architectural illustration of a modern train station building with a large elevated white structure above a red brick base, glass entrances, and a covered platform area, with a few people walking nearby and trees in the background.

Raymond Loewy Gallery

Learn about the life and work of Raymond Loewy, the internationally celebrated industrial designer whose influence can still be seen in products, transportation, branding, and everyday life around the world.

Large red industrial water pump structures with pipes and gauges inside a white room with windows, surrounded by a black metal fence.

Crystal Spring Pump Station

Explore the engineering and innovation that helped support Roanoke's growth and development. This historic landmark tells the story of infrastructure, public works, and the people who helped build a modern city.

Black and white photo of a building with a large sign reading 'COLONIAL AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK' on the rooftop, partially obscured by another sign above it with letters 'FNEB FNEB'. In front of this building is a large decorative sign shaped like a teapot, and below it, a partial sign with large letters 'H & C'.

H&C Coffee Sign

Harold and Clarence Woods founded Woods Brother's Coffee Company in Roanoke in 1927, but Harold soon bought out Clarence and built the "H&C Coffee" brand himself. Inspired by a Times Square cigarette sign, he added the now-iconic H&C sign in the late 1940s, moving it to the Ames Hotel in 1964 when I-581 construction demolished the original headquarters.

Now On View

Discover exhibitions that explore the people, places, industries, and events that define Western Virginia.

Through photography, artifacts, multimedia experiences, and storytelling, our exhibitions invite visitors to look deeper into the stories that continue to shape our region.

Current Exhibits

View All
Kindly Mirrors
On the Rails
Rooted in Roanoke: Bryce Cobbs
Sepia-toned vintage street scene showing pedestrians walking, early 20th-century cars parked and moving, and a busy market with vendors and goods outside a large brick building with business signs and a clock.

Discover the Stories That Shaped Western Virginia

From iconic photographs and historic artifacts to exhibitions, events, and educational programs, there’s always something waiting to be discovered.

Plan Your VisitSupport HSWV

Discover the Digital Collection

Behind every object is a story waiting to be told.

The Historical Society of Western Virginia cares for a growing collection of photographs, documents, artifacts, textiles, maps, and archival materials that preserve the history of our region. These collections provide a window into everyday life, major historical events, and the people who shaped Western Virginia.

Photographs & Negatives

Over 10,000 photographs and negatives visually capture the people, places, and activities of the Greater Roanoke region, celebrating moments captured in time.

Letters & Correspondence

Highlighting public documents from early Roanoke's founding to the treasured letters between family and friends, the museum's collection spans from the 1720s to today.

Artifacts & Ephemera

Three-dimensional artifacts such as fashion, furniture, and everyday household objects tell Roanoke’s visual story - from the decorative pieces people created to the material Roanoke businesses used as marketing, the museum’s collection highlights the broad spectrum of early American decorative art to modern business ephemera.

Collections that tell our story

As the keeper of Roanoke's stories, the preservation of these collections enhance our community's rich cultural heritage.

Browse the Collection