History on wheels: Inside the Virginia 250th mobile museum

The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission debuted its new mobile museum in Roanoke on Jan. 18. Over the next three years, the commission hopes to have students from every middle school in the state tour the exhibit. Here’s the upcoming schedule and a portal where schools or other groups can book the museum for a visit.

The outside

The mobile museum is pulled by a tractor trailer that's been donated by Volvo in Pulaski County. Photo by Dwayne Yancey — The mobile museum is pulled by a tractor trailer that’s been donated by Volvo in Pulaski County. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

An opening film

The first thing visitors see is a short video. Photo by Dwayne Yancey. — The first thing visitors see is a short video. Notice the side panels that address the role of women and slavery. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

A holographic Patrick Henry

The first room also includes a hologram of an actor delivering Patrick Henry's famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech. Photo by Dwayne Yancey — The first room also includes a hologram of an actor delivering Patrick Henry’s famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

In the next room

An overhead view of visitors touring the exhibits. Photo by Dwayne Yancey — Beyond the entrance room with the film and the holographic Henry, visitors enter another room with more exhibits. Here’s an overhead view of visitors touring the exhibits. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

Interactive exhibits

A visitor tries out one of the touchscreen displays. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

Not just guys in white wigs

There are panels that highligt the roles of Black Virginians in the Revolution, such as this one about Billy Flora. Photo by Dwayne Yancey. — There are panels that highlight the roles of Black Virginians in the Revolution, such as this one about Billy Flora at the Battle of Great Bridge. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

Not just guys, either

The mobile museum also includes displays about the role that women played in the American Revolution. Here's one of them. Photo by Dwayne Yancey — The mobile museum also includes displays about the role that women played in the American Revolution. Here’s one of them. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

Connecting the past with the present

An exhibit that features post-Revolutionary figures in Virginia who helped expand the ideals of liberty. Among those featured re those in the women's suffrage and civil rights movements. Photo by Dwayne Yancey — An exhibit that features post-Revolutionary figures in Virginia who helped expand the ideals of liberty. Among those featured are those in the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. These panels can be turned around; the back details the person’s story. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

A citizenship test

Before exiting, visitors have an opportunity to take a citizenship ship on an interactive display. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Cardinal News has embarked on a three-year project to tell the little-known stories of Virginia’s role in the march to independence. This project is supported, in part, by a grant from the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. Find all our stories from this project on the Cardinal 250 page. You can sign up for our monthly newsletter: