The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History’s mission is to inspire community cohesiveness and facilitate impactful education through the advancement of art and history in the Dan River Region.
Located in Danville, Virginia, the museum offers rotating art and history exhibits, programs, and events, and collaborates with local organizations and educational institutions throughout the year to provide art and culture for residents and visitors.
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History’s board emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its leadership and programming, aiming to make the museum’s offerings accessible and relevant to all.
Along with rotating local, national, and international art exhibits throughout the year, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History has four main exhibits ⎼ the Camilla Williams Exhibit; Movement, the Danville Civil Rights exhibit; Behind the Lines Civil War exhibit; and the Danville Hall of Fame.
Housed in the ca. 1859 Italian Villa-style Sutherlin Mansion — a Virginia Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — the museum promotes local history, including the last days of the Civil War when the museum served as the “Last Capital of the Confederacy;” and the 1960 sit-in held in protest of what was at the time the Whites-only Danville Public Library.
The Museum is a designated site of the Virginia Civil War Trails and was listed on the United States Civil Rights Trail.
The richness of the museum’s collections, which include paintings, photographs, furniture, and historic objects and documents, combined with the history and setting of the Sutherlin mansion, tell insightful stories about the people and events of the Dan River Region and beyond.
Sonja is the executive director for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, where she is responsible for coordinating and directing all museum operations and programming. Before joining DMFAH, Sonja worked for Preservation Virginia from 2008 to 2023 assisting individuals and organizations across the Commonwealth to preserve important historic places.
During her time at Preservation Virginia, Sonja managed Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places List, the Preservation Academy, Preservation Awards, Preservation Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools Program, and Preservation Virginia’s Tobacco Barns Program.
Before joining Preservation Virginia, Sonja was the Assistant Director for the Archaeological Conservancy’s Eastern Regional Office in Frederick, Maryland. She also worked as a historic preservation planner for Frederick City government, and as a land preservationist for Loudoun County and Frederick County governments. Her archaeological experience also includes working for the National Forestry Service, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and cultural resource management firms in the southern United States, Mid-Atlantic, and Puerto Rico.
Sonja serves on several nonprofit advisory boards including the Southside African American Cemetery Preservation Society, the Pittsylvania Historical Society, Literacy Interactives, Inc., and Friends of the Old West End.
Sara is a graduate of UNC Greensboro with a master’s degree in accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant and worked with a private firm for three years and then with the Department of Taxation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she retired in 2014. She joined the Museum on a part-time basis in 2015.
Sara lives on a farm that has been in the family since 1835, along with her husband and two dogs.
Cathy is the museum’s volunteer and events coordinator. She also runs the museum’s gift shop. Most recently, Cathy helped to open the Art Gallery, a place for local artists to display and sell their original art. As Events Coordinator, Cathy manages the rental of museum spaces for group tours, meetings, weddings, parties and other gatherings.
Originally from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Cathy moved to Danville in September of 2020. In October of 2022, she began volunteering at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History and is now an employee. Cathy loves her job and meeting all the wonderful people who visit. She also enjoys creating her own art, singing, and spending time with her children and grandchildren and her cats, Bison and Laris.
Berkley Pritchett is the museum’s Collections and Research Specialist. His duties involve assisting museum colleagues with collections management; and performing historical and institutional research for programs and exhibits. Berkley also helps to provide first-rate customer service to museum visitors and members and supports the public-facing aspects of museum operations such as the welcome desk, tours, programs, exhibits, events, and the gift shop.
Berkley has always had an interest in history and the arts. Working at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History allows him to combine both of his interests. His job has also allowed him to learn more about his hometown and the surrounding area. In his free time, he likes to listen to music, watch movies, read, and write fiction.
As a museum services specialist, Heidi’s duties involve providing first-rate customer service to museum visitors and members and supporting the public-facing aspects of museum operations such as the welcome desk, tours, programs, exhibits, events, and the gift shop.
As the museum’s registrar and collection manager, Angela is responsible for the research, preservation, stewardship, and security of the museum’s history and art collections, as well as creating and maintaining records and documents relating to the museum’s permanent collection and loans. Angela also assists with research, creation, and installation of the museum’s exhibits.
Join a collaborative and creative workforce where your skills and enthusiasm will contribute to the preservation and presentation of our world’s diverse heritage. At Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, we believe in the power of art, history, and education to inspire and connect communities. Get started today.
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone: (434)-793-5644
Email: info@danvillemuseum.org
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© 2024 All rights reserved.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Accessibility Statement
© 2024 All rights reserved.
Submit your religious or spiritual art and artifacts for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History’s December exhibition. The form is open until November 7, 2024, at 4:00 PM, and selected contributors will be notified via email.
