VCU Department of History

10/20/2026

An exciting agenda - includes a panel with our own Dr. Eastman, Dr. Newman and Dr. Smith. See you Oct 22nd!

10/19/2026

🐏cRam Session: Richmond Haunts👻
3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Ryan Smith, who leads an exploration of the city’s ‘darker underside’ and is documenting its ghostlore.

3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Ryan Smith, who leads an exploration of the city’s ‘darker underside’ and is documenting its ghostlore.

10/18/2026

10/15/2026

Yesterday students got an exclusive after hours tour of the Valentine Museum curated by Christina Vida, the Else H, Wright Curator of General Collections.
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⚡Some highlights include
☑️Learning about the museum's founding > Meat-Juice
☑️Exploring the "This is Richmond" exhibit, and putting their own classroom learning to work to answer questions about the who, what, and whys of the exhibition
☑️Looking back at the history of the confederate monuments to the controversies and impact they had in the region
☑️Getting an up and close look at the toppled Jefferson Davis statue as a symbol of the BLM protests, and at the symbols of confederate ideology incorporated into the statue
☑️And some behind the scenes insight into what working in a historical museum is like
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If you are thinking about a career in public history and are seeking a real hands-on learning experience, we offer an undergraduate concentration in public history as well as a graduate certificate in public history. Visit our website, or contact [email protected] to find out more.
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Our sincere thanks to The Valentine for the wonderful learning experience💛🖤💛

10/15/2026

A lot of hard work, rewarding work, went into this project. Congrats to Dr. Daniel Morales and Dr. Gabriella Leon-Perez for launching Latino VA! And let's not forget about all the VCU students who worked on this project over the years! Kudos to them as well 💛🖤💛🐏

Feature story in Axios - free subscription available.

Want to celebrate this accomplishment? Join us on Oct 30 from 4 - 5:30 pm in the STEM building, room 216. Food will be served.

It's a public record of how immigrant and U.S.-born Latinos built their lives here, told in their own words.

10/14/2026

POV: getting to tag along as the social media person for Dr. Rader’s Public History: Theory & Practice class is pretty interesting stuff ‼️ More photos and info tomorrow so stay tuned. Thanks to The Valentine for the amazing insider tour. VCUCHS

10/12/2026

Happening tomorrow (10/13)!!!

In partnership with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and Virginia Public Media (VPM), the College of Humanities and Sciences presents a screening of the documentary “Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War” from VPM and director Stacey L. Holman.

The documentary explores the important role Black Americans played as America fought for its independence. The event will be hosted by Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and co-founder of The JXN Project. Doors open and pre-event reception begins at 5 p.m. The screening will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday, October 13 | 5-8 p.m.
VCU Cabell Library, Room 303

10/08/2026

Alums give back to river class that sent them on new and fulfilling paths

In the summer of her senior year at Virginia Commonwealth University, history major Maya Walters took a class that would change her life.

The class was Footprints on the James, a multiweek immersive course through the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, with the RecWell Outdoor Adventure Program. Students explored the James River watershed, traveling by raft, kayak and bateau; camping overnight; hiking; and learning about the human and natural histories of the river and how they intersect.

Walters went on to work in school settings, then outdoor adventure programs and finally a nature-focused daycare.

“My career has turned into getting kids outside,” she said.

Read more at

Footprints on the James is an immersive journey that lets students explore the biological and environmental components of the James River and its watershed. A new fund supports it and other similar field studies courses.

10/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us 10/6 for Native Nations and the American Revolution featuring Dr. Kathleen DuVal. 🖤💛🖤
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Made possible by The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia and 👇🏼

VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Humanities Research Center at VCU America Made in Virginia Virginia Museum of History & Culture Virginia Humanities

10/05/2026

Thank you Style Weekly. We are looking forward to the talk!