So Much to Experience and Explore

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture that the region has to offer with its many museums and educational experiences. Take a trip back in time at the Botetourt County Historical Museum. Learn about the influence of the railroads at the C&O Heritage Center. Enter a masterpiece at the Taubman Museum of Art which maintains a permanent collection of contemporary and historical American Art and frequent rotating exhibits. From ancient artifacts to the latest scientific developments, the Roanoke Region is an exhibition of human and natural wonders.

Art Museums

As a major hub for the visual arts, the Roanoke Region is home to several prominent art museums. From regional to internationally renowned works, classical and modern, the region’s museums feature diverse collections exhibiting works of multiple genres and historical periods.

• Taubman Museum of Art features a permanent collection of 19th and 20th-Century American, modern, and contemporary art. The Taubman presents exhibitions of both regional and national significance throughout the year.
• Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits the highest-quality original art in support of the mission of Hollins University. The museum provides a forum for art and the creative process.
• Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College has exhibitions of contemporary emerging and established artists approximately seven times a year.
• O. Winston Link Museum is the world’s foremost collection of O. Winston Link’s black and white railroad photography.
• Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech has a variety of exhibitions, performances, and experiences.
• Radford University Art Museum showcases student, faculty, and traveling exhibits from nationally and internationally renowned artists.

History and Culture

There is no better way to absorb the vast history and culture of the area than to explore the Roanoke Region’s history museums. Discover Native-American artifacts and see how the region developed from pioneer settlements into a bustling economic hub.

• Booker T. Washington National Monument tells the story of how the African-American educator and speaker began his life as an enslaved person in Franklin County. 
• Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum documents the folkways of people living in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains. 
• History Museum of Western Virginia maintains a permanent collection of artifacts representing the historical development of Western Virginia. 
• C & O Heritage Center Clifton Forge highlights the history of the C&O Railroad in Southwest Virginia.
• Franklin County Historical Society and Museum is staffed by volunteers and open five days a week. Learn about the rich history of Franklin County.
• Salem Museum and Historical Society maintains an important collection of local artifacts and mementos from the span of Salem’s history. 
• Harrison Museum of African-American Culture features history and art exhibitions, cultural programming, and performing arts presentations. 
• History Museum of Western Virginia maintains a permanent collection of artifacts representing the historical development of Western Virginia. 
• Vinton History Museum highlights the history of the Town of Vinton. It’s open three days a week. 
• The Crooked Road-Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail highlights how music is integrated into tradition in Southwest Virginia. 

Science and Technology

Learn about the formation of mountains to the evolution of transportation right here in the Roanoke Region and find out how we’ve played an important role in scientific and technological progress.

• Science Museum of Western Virginia provides classes, exhibits, and fascinating insights into the world of science. The Hopkins Planetarium is one of the most popular features.
• Virginia Museum of Transportation celebrates the industry that has been a major driver in the region’s history, culture, and economic development. The museum boasts a large collection of locomotives and other rail equipment, as well as cars, trucks, buses, and planes.
• Kids Square Children’s Museum provides an exciting place for adventures and allows kids to explore, play, and learn. The museum is located in Center in the Square.
• Mill Mountain Zoo is a non-profit conservation zoo located at the top of Mill Mountain in the City of Roanoke.