Mission Statement
The Bedford Museum preserves and shares the history of the Town of Bedford and Bedford County, Virginia by maintaining genealogical and historical records, and by collecting, preserving, and interpreting objects of local historical significance. These objects created or used by the area’s inhabitants, help document and illuminate life in Bedford from prehistoric times to the present.
1895The Cornerstone CeremonyThe photo is of the cornerstone ceremony for the masonic building which took place on Monday, May 6th, 1895, at 4 pm. The ceremony was supposed to take place the Thursday before but due to bad weather was postponed.
- Origins Unveiled: The Birth of the Bedford Museum1933
In 1933, a joint committee of the local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) founded a new museum in Bedford. The museum opened Memorial Day 1933 on the first floor of the Bedford Courthouse.
1978The Museum Found Its Permanent HomeSubsequently housed across several floors of the courthouse and the Bedford Library, the museum found a permanent home in 1978 when the City and County acquired the 1895 Liberty Masonic Lodge 95 A.F. & A.M. building and leased it to the museum. Since opening day July 3, 1979, the museum has continued to grow and change.
*Pictured (Above): a gathering of citizens in Bedford and WWI soldiers in front of the courthouse in town (you will notice the brick street).
- Ruth Krebs - Instrumental in the Bedford Museum Having a Permanent Home1989
1999Museum AdditionIn 1999, an addition to the original building provided additional storage space and an elevator for accessibility.
- Bedford Museum Compiled Images Both Old & New, Vol. 12003
The Bedford Museum compiled Bedford Images Old & New, Vol. 1 in honor of Bedford County 250th Anniversary. Book was to be released in 2004.
2012Bedford Museum Celebrates Black History MonthThe Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library celebrated Black History Month on February 19th with the Lovely Zion Gospel Chorus as one of the featured guests at the museum. Sandra Nelms Ludiwg also read some of her original poetry at the festivities. Louise Bonds was honored for her 15 years of service to the Bedford Museum.
- Exterior Museum Restoration2023
In 2023 the wood around the windows was repaired, primer was applied, sandblasting to the rear addition was done as well as new paint. The renovation team also cleaned and repointed the brick of the original Masonic Building.
The museum hosts two extensive genealogical libraries which include over 1,500 surveyed cemeteries in Bedford and over 10,000 loose paper files of surnames and historical buildings, homes, and organizations. For more information and access to these materials, visit our Research page.
Permanent exhibits highlight the history of Bedford and Bedford County including Native American, Black History, World War I and World War II, and our room on Company A, 116th Battalion, 29th Division. Our third-floor area houses the War Between the States Museum featuring period objects related to Bedford. For more information, visit our Exhibits page.
Our gift shop, located on the first floor, includes books, maps, and gift items for sale. To access the gift shop, visit our Books & Gifts page.
