Danville Museum
of Fine Arts and History
of Fine Arts and History
Tour the Italian Villa style mansion built ca. 1859 that was home to Jane Patrick Sutherlin and Major William T. Sutherlin.
Self-guided or guided tours of the Sutherlin Mansion invite visitors to explore both the architectural beauty of this Italian Villa–style home and the story of the Sutherlin family who built and lived in it.
Constructed for Major William T. Sutherlin, a prominent tobacco industrialist and civic leader, the mansion reflects the wealth and influence of Danville’s 19th-century elite. The tour covers the Sutherlin family’s daily life, their role in the region’s economic and social development, and the ways the home evolved over time.
The tour also places the family’s story within the broader context of the Civil War and Reconstruction, offering a layered understanding of the house not only as a family residence, but as a site connected to some of the most pivotal moments in American history.
The museum’s Camilla Williams exhibit honors the extraordinary life and legacy of Camilla Williams, a trailblazing African American soprano from Danville who rose to international acclaim. In 1946, Williams made history as the first Black woman to secure a leading role with a major American opera company, performing with the New York City Opera.
The exhibit highlights her remarkable career, featuring photographs and personal memorabilia that reflect both her artistic achievements and her role in breaking racial barriers in the performing arts. Through her story, visitors gain insight into the intersection of art, perseverance, and the ongoing struggle for equality, as well as Danville’s connection to a figure of national cultural significance.
This exhibit highlights Danville’s significant role during the Civil War. Although no battles were fought within the city, Danville served as a vital supply depot and transportation hub for the Confederacy.
Tobacco warehouses were repurposed into hospitals, factories, and prisons, supporting the Confederate war effort in multiple ways. Following the fall of Richmond on April 2, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet relocated to Danville via the Richmond and Danville Railroad, remaining for eight days. It was here that Davis learned of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.
The exhibit features a range of Civil War artifacts, including letters, cannonballs, and rifles, offering visitors a tangible connection to this pivotal moment in Danville’s—and the nation’s—history.
The museum’s Civil Rights exhibit explores Danville’s pivotal role in the struggle for equality, highlighting both local activism and its connection to the broader American Civil Rights Movement.
Through photographs, firsthand accounts, and artifacts, the exhibit tells the story of the 1960 sit-in at the city’s segregated public library (Sutherlin Mansion) and the protests that followed in 1963, when demonstrators faced violent resistance in their fight for justice.
By centering the voices and experiences of community members, the exhibit offers a powerful and honest interpretation of this transformative period, encouraging visitors to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of civil rights and the enduring impact of these events on Danville and the nation.
The museum’s Hall of Fame exhibit celebrates the lives and achievements of individuals who have made lasting contributions to Danville, the state and the nation. Honorees include trailblazing figures such as Wendell Scott and Camilla Williams, along with influential artists like Carson Davenport, Emmet Gowin, and Harriet Fitzgerald.
Representing excellence across fields such as public service, education, business, athletics, and the arts, these individuals reflect the depth and diversity of talent within the community. Through portraits and biographical narratives, visitors encounter the stories of those whose vision, creativity, and dedication have left a lasting mark on the Dan River Region. The Hall of Fame serves not only as a recognition of individual achievement, but also as a reflection of the shared history, resilience, and pride of the community.
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is inviting submissions for its winter exhibition, “Art as an Act of Devotion,” which will center on religious and spiritual art and artifacts. DMFAH aims to curate the majority of the exhibit from the local community, showcasing objects representative of diverse religions and spiritual practices. The exhibition aims to illustrate how artistic objects are used to enhance personal connectedness and spiritual practice. We encourage you to submit your contributions through our website here: Devotional Art or Artifact Submission – Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History
A member’s preview will be held in conjunction with the annual President’s Reception on December 13th.
DMFAH will be hosting local students’ art in the Jennings Gallery from the Danville Public School student art exhibit. The show will start May 21, 2024, and will continue until June 5th, 2024. Visit the museum for a day filled with creativity and talent and support our local students as they showcase their amazing artwork. From paintings to sculptures, there will be a wide variety of pieces on display. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the artistic skills of our community. The opening reception will be May 24th at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is having a special exhibition on women from the Danville⎼Pittsylvania County area whose accomplishments, dedication, dignity, and talent deeply enriched, and helped grow the region. Some of the women highlighted in the exhibit are well known, but others, and their contributions, are not. DMFAH will also be hosting two evening presentations on women featured in the exhibit. It is anticipated that the exhibit will expand into an annual display to highlight other women, and their contributions, each March.
As a way to celebrate and honor Black History Month and highlight the many African American artists in the Dan River Region, Black Culture: Past, Present and Future will explore African American life and culture across time through artistic expression. The show will encompass diverse media such as painting, drawing, and photography. Four well-known, local Black artists will be highlighted in the exhibit, along with other local African American artists at various stages of their careers.
From September, 1971 to October, 2022, professor Robert Marsh taught, advised and led his art students to discover and develop their artistic talents. This exhibit follows the popular Marsh Retrospective exhibit which concludes September 17. The Legacy exhibit opens October 8 with a reception at the Danville Museum at 3:00 p.m. This reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Come join us to view over 50 years of work by students of artist/instructor Robert Marsh, beloved professor at Averett University and resident of Danville.
