Danville Museum
of Fine Arts and History
of Fine Arts and History
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, located at 975 Main Street in the Old West End Historic District in Danville, Virginia, is one of the few cultural museums open on a weekly basis in the region. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year, including hundreds of students. Dedicated to serving the community, DMFAH features rotating exhibits, community events, art classes, and education programs all year.
The museum’s collections, combined with the unique Civil War to Civil Rights history of the Sutherlin Mansion, allow DMFAH to tell compelling stories of the people and events that shaped the Dan River Region and beyond.
Want to see a map of what the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History has to offer?
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 museum’s gift shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of items that reflect the art, history, and character of the Dan River Region. Featuring work by local and regional artists alongside books, handcrafted goods, and unique souvenirs, the shop provides visitors with an opportunity to take a piece of the museum, and Danville, home with them.
The museum’s local art gallery offers a variety of local art and prints. If you are an artist and are interested in selling your art in the art gallery, contact the museum at 434-793-5644.
The museum is open Thursday-Sunday for self-guided tours. The Sutherlin Mansion offers visitors a unique opportunity to step inside one of Virginia’s most historically significant homes while exploring both art and local history. Built in the late 1850s, the mansion itself is part of the experience, with restored rooms and period furnishings that reflect life in the 19th century. Inside the house, visitors can tour permanent exhibits on the Civil War, Civil Rights, Camilla Williams, and Danville Hall of Fame.
Depending on the time of year, visitors may also be able to enjoy one of our rotating art exhibits. Please check the list of upcoming exhibits for more information.
Guided tours are also available. If you are interested in a guided tour, please contact the museum at 434-793-5644.
If you are interested in a guided group tour (student or adult) please contact the museum at info@danvillemuseum.org or 434-793-5644.
Enjoy a one-hour walking tour of Millionaires’ Row and learn “The Secrets Inside” of the Victorian mansions surrounding the Museum. Return to the museum to see the Civil War, Civil Rights, Camilla Williams Exhibits and the Danville Hall of Fame. Visit the gift shop for a souvenir. All transactions are cash. Call Joyce Wilburn at 434.770.1974 to schedule a tour.