Virginia Museum of History & Culture Explores Immigrant Stories for U.S. 250th Anniversary

Museums across the United States are launching exhibitions to mark the nation's 250th anniversary, with many opening this spring and summer. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond presents 'We the People: The World in our Commonwealth,' examining immigrant experiences through nine thematic sections. Curator Julie Kemper and her team conducted a statewide listening tour, gathering stories from immigrants, second-generation individuals, and community workers. Objects from the museum's collection, loans, and oral histories trace the journeys of over 100 immigrants from 68 countries who settled in Virginia. Two featured immigrants—Hulda Lange from Prussia in 1865 and Giancarla Rojas from Bolivia—brought personal items like a keepsake box and a grandmother's blanket. The exhibition runs until September 7, 2026, with parts traveling throughout Virginia this year. Displays range from portraiture to multimedia installations, incorporating founding documents and found objects. These initiatives aim to explore the diverse meanings of American identity through historical joy, sorrow, and humor.