Westmoreland County Museum
welcome to the Westmoreland County Museum
our Mission Statement
“The purpose of the Westmoreland County Museum and Library is to preserve the history of Westmoreland County and its people through its collections, library, research materials, exhibits, and educational programs in order to increase the understanding and
appreciation of the County’s heritage.”
Westmoreland County, Virginia is ancestral home of three of our nations first five presidents – George Washington, James Monroe and James Madison. The only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence- Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee were also Westmoreland County residents. The County is also the location of Nomini Hall, where Robert Carter III voluntarily freed nearly 500 of his enslaved people, beginning in 1791. This manumission is the largest known release of the enslaved in North America prior to the American Civil War.
Founded in 1939, the Westmoreland County Museum, Inc. preserves and advances the history of our special place in the Northern Neck. Stop by the original museum to view the Charles Willson Peale painting of William Pitt (Lord Chatham) from 1768, as well as furniture donated by the Washington family.
The Historic Courthouse features rotating exhibits on local history and includes the Henry Hungerford Library and Genealogical Research Center. Make sure to stop in the Wakefield Building on Saturdays to shop at our Mercantile and make yourself a float at the Soda Shoppe.
latest news & updates
Below are our latest updates. Click Here to view past updates.
Theresa Martin, Programs Manager and senior Research Librarian at the Westmoreland County Museum and Library, is moving on to bluer skies at The Branch Museum of Design in Richmond, Va. Theresa also served as office manager, created displays and content for social media, and led exhibit designs that were thoughtful and thought-provoking. As Research Librarian, she researched content in response to genealogy requests from customers throughout the United States who were interested in connecting their family roots back to Westmoreland County.
Working with Executive Director, Rosemary Mahan, and Marian Ashton of the A.T. Johnson Museum, Theresa helped to organize and coordinate a lecture series featuring various topics involving Westmoreland County’s history, people, and heritage. Her last day will be Friday, 18 April 2025. As you can imagine, she will be sorely missed by all. In her new job, Theresa will be the Visitors’ Experience and Programs Manager, working directly with the public, a role in which she will shine since the Westmoreland County Museum guests always say what a treasure she is. We know, we know! We hate to see her go.
thank you all for your donations
On behalf of Westmoreland County Museum, I would like to thank you for your support in 2025.
Your generous donation will allow us to add new community programs, develop special museum exhibits, continue beautification and renewal of the Presidents’ Garden, restore and renovate the Original Museum and grounds, and redesign and upgrade the Mercantile General Store and Museum Gift Shop.
We hope you will have an opportunity to join us for our 2025 Lecture Series: Introduction to Westmoreland County History, as well as other community events programmed throughout the year. We are excited as we move forward into 2025 with new events and activities.
Please visit our website often and follow us on Facebook at Westmoreland County Museum and/or on Instagram @westmorelandcountymuseum to learn about upcoming events.
Sincerely yours,
Rosemary M. Mahan
Executive Director
Westmoreland County Museum and Library, Inc.
