Office > Museum

The Museum of Virginia Catholic History is dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting artifacts that interpret the history and traditions of Catholicism in Virginia.

The Museum is proud to serve as an educational resource for those who seek a greater awareness of Virginia’s rich Catholic heritage.

Now on Exhibit at the Cathedral

Visitors to the exhibit area may visit the marble burial markers of those laid to rest in the Crypt, including four former bishops of the Diocese and family members of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan, the Cathedral’s benefactors. To schedule a guided tour for your parish group, organization or students, please call 804-359-5661 ext. 218

Built on a Cornerstone of Faith: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Located near the main entrance of the church, the “Baptistery Gallery” features a permanent exhibit titled Built on a Cornerstone of Faith: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This display traces the history of the Cathedral’s construction, beginning with the procurement of its cornerstone in 1883 to the building’s consecration in 1906.

Highlights in this exhibit include restored pieces of the Cathedral’s original baptismal font, as well as various liturgical artifacts belonging to the Cathedral. Stored in the crypt for over thirty years, the baptismal font has been carefully cleaned and returned to the room where it originally stood, the baptistery.

Tours of the Baptistery Gallery and Crypt exhibits are presently offered by appointment only. For walk-in visitors, there are informational displays located in the vestibule and aisle cases that illustrate the Cathedral’s early history, highlighting its 1906 Consecration Day.