Lynchburg Museum and Visitor Center Opens New Vietnam War Exhibit
The Lynchburg Museum & Visitor Center has a new two-part exhibit titled “Lynchburg & The Vietnam War.” Part I of the exhibit will open for First Fridays on November 7, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is the first comprehensive exhibit about the Vietnam War and its impact on the Hill City in Central Virginia.
The Vietnam War touched countless lives at home and abroad throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. In Lynchburg, families waited anxiously, students debated, and communities faced loss. Twenty-seven young men from our city never returned, and their stories are at the heart of this exhibit. Through letters, photographs, and personal artifacts, step into the past to see the war through local eyes, and honor the courage and resilience of our community.
The exhibit focuses on the stories of men like Lt. Kenneth Shannon, a helicopter pilot and the first Lynchburg resident killed in Vietnam in 1964, and Capt. Donald Clark, Jr., who was a member of the special “Wild Weasels” Air Force fighter squadron. Artifacts on display include uniforms that saw combat action, original dog tags, and personal letters to and from home in Lynchburg. A multimedia kiosk features bonus material about local Vietnam veterans, including interviews and photographs.
During the opening reception on Friday, November 7, Curator Crystal Diff and several local Vietnam veterans will be on hand to discuss the exhibit and its contents.
“Lynchburg & The Vietnam War” will remain on display at the Lynchburg Museum through December 2026. Part II of the exhibit will open in May 2026.
The Lynchburg Museum & Visitor Center is located at 901 Court Street. Admission to the museum is always free. Visit LynchburgMuseum.org for open days and hours, as well as other special events, programs, and guided tours throughout the year.
About the Lynchburg Museum System
The Lynchburg Museum System manages the official history museums and archives of the City of Lynchburg. Its mission is to collect, interpret, preserve, and share the history and culture of Lynchburg, Virginia, and the surrounding area. The Museum System is a division of the City’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism, working in partnership with the non-profit Lynchburg Museum Foundation.
The Museum System is responsible for operating two museums: the Lynchburg Museum in the Old Court House at the top of Monument Terrace and Point of Honor, the former plantation site on Daniel’s Hill. These museums preserve nearly 100,000 artifacts and share the diverse stories of three centuries of local history with residents, tourists, and students of all ages.
For more information about the Lynchburg Museum System, please call (434) 455-6226 or visit LynchburgMuseum.org, PointofHonor.org, or LynchburgPhotos.org. Find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram (@LburgMuse).
