Encyclopedia Virginia
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What it is
Encyclopedia Virginia is a digital history and culture resource produced by Virginia Humanities in partnership with the Library of Virginia. Its entries are written by scholars, edited for a general audience, and fact-checked. The collection is still growing, so it is best treated as a substantial, evolving resource rather than a finished catalogue of every Virginia topic.[2]
The project published its first entries in 2008 and partnered with the Library of Virginia in 2012 to publish the library’s ongoing Dictionary of Virginia Biography digitally.[3]
How to explore
The site offers several useful starting points: browse entries alphabetically, search biographies, explore subjects by category, or use the interactive map to find history connected with places around the state. The homepage also features recent entries, primary documents, media, and a daily selection of events in Virginia history.[4]
For a focused visit, start with a person, period, or place, then follow related entries and documents to build context before going to a historic site or museum. Topics span Virginia’s history and culture, including Indigenous history, colonial Virginia, the Revolution, the Civil War, biographies, literature, and local history.[5][6]
What makes it useful
Entries may include primary documents, images, audio and video, and virtual tours of historic sites. The project says some media materials are available through partnerships with museums and cultural institutions, making the site a helpful way to encounter historical sources alongside accessible explanations.[7]
Its editorial process uses thematic sections and scholarly section editors. Editors work with contributors, consult primary and secondary sources, and send entries for review; fact-checkers and copy editors review entries before publication. Especially complex or potentially controversial topics may receive review from multiple scholars.[8]
Using it for a Virginia trip
Use the map and local-history browsing to identify subjects connected with a destination, then check the relevant historic site or museum’s official website for current visiting information. Encyclopedia Virginia is a research and context resource, not a substitute for confirming opening hours, admission, access, or tour availability directly with an attraction.
For broader trip planning, pair historical reading with regional guides such as Virginia's Regions and Virginia's National Park Service Sites. On the ground, the site can help connect places such as Jamestown, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, and Yorktown, Virginia to the people and events covered in its entries.
Related books: Browse related Virginia books on Amazon
References
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ About Encyclopedia Virginia, Encyclopedia Virginia, Virginia Humanities. Retrieved October 23, 2026.