City: Richmond, VA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (804) 692-3500

Address: 800 E. Broad St.

Description: Founded in 1823 at Thomas Jefferson’s request as the repository of the state’s books and official records, the library’s collection is now both massive—97 million pieces and counting—and priceless. Housed in a beautiful, airy building since 1997, the library is much more than a collection of books. With maps, books, documents, letters, government records, photographs, posters, and family lore from the 1600s to the present housed on 55 miles of shelves, it is recognized as the most comprehensive resource in the world with regards to Virginia history, culture, and government. Within the collection is a Declaration of Independence written on sheepskin and inscribed to Mr. Thomas Jefferson, a collection of George Washington’s letters, one of only 12 manuscript copies of the original Bill of Rights, and the minutes of the last meeting of the House of Burgesses that end with a knowing 4-inch-tall FINIS written with a flourish. But you don’t have to be connected to the famous to be included in this library’s collection. Vast amounts of information about the daily lives of Virginians over the centuries are here, and the library regularly mounts exhibits that highlight Virginia’s storied past. The library also collects the works of Virginia writers, including Sherwood Anderson, Edgar Allan Poe, Ellen Glasgow, and William Styron, and helps the literary tradition continue with literary events, lectures, and book signings. Some visitors use the library for its extensive genealogical resources, including a military records collection that dates from the American Revolution, and the staff here is dedicated to helping you along your search. Most of the collection is in the stacks, and you will need a photo ID to access what you want. Wireless Internet is available on the first two floors of the library. Forty-five minute tours can be arranged in advance by calling the library, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon through Sat. Free parking for patrons is available underground during library hours. A gift shop filled with Virginia-related books and merchandise is near the front entrance.