Experience The James:
Lynchburg’s Pathway to the World
June 6, 2014 to December 31, 2015

Experience The James covered the historical, cultural, and environmental significance of the James River from its headwaters in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Special emphasis was given to the James River’s role in the founding of Lynchburg.

The Museum partnered with several local organizations including, Lynchburg Parks & Recreation, Lynchburg Water Resources, James River Association, Lynch’s Landing, Amazement Square, and Virginal Canals & Navigations Society and featured artifacts borrowed from Virginia Historical Society, Mariners Museum, Maier Museum at Randolph College, Daura Gallery at Lynchburg College, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, local artists, and many other institutions.

Funded by Bank of the James, Lynchburg Museum Foundation, James River Association, James River Art and Cultural District grant, City of Lynchburg, and discoverlynchburg, the exhibit also included a series of lectures and workshops.

Battle of the Ironclads

On March 12, 2015 John Quarstein, naval historian and former director of the Virginia War Museum in Newport News, provided a program at the Lynchburg Museum on the battle between the Monitor and the Virginia (Merrimac) that took place at the mouth of the James River March 8-9, 1862. Please enjoy!

Marshall Expedition

In 1812, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall led an expedition to find a practical river and canal route connecting Richmond to the Ohio River Valley. His work led to the creation of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Two hundred years later, Andrew Shaw and his crew poled the Mary Marshall batteau upstream for 225 miles on the James and Jackson Rivers. They then descended 130 miles on the Greenbrier and New Rivers, retracing John Marshall’s voyage. Listen to Andrew Shaw his epic voyage!