The Mission of the Bedford Museum is to develop and maintain files for genealogical and historical research and to collect, preserve and interpret objects of historical significance to the Town of Bedford and Bedford County, Virginia. Objects of historical significance are defined as objects that were made or used by inhabitants of Bedford or are deemed to have been an integral part of the lives and environs of the inhabitants of the Town of Bedford and Bedford County, Virginia. Objects of historical significance interpret and substantiate the existence and survival of inhabitants of Bedford, Virginia from prehistoric time to present.

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. Subsequently 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. In 1999, an addition to the original building provided additional storage space and an elevator for accessibility.
*Pictured (top right):  a gathering of citizens in Bedford and WWI soldiers in front of the courthouse in town (you will notice the brick street). 
  The bottom 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. 

DOUG COOPER, Chair

JAMES WITT, Treasurer

DONNA DONALD, Secretary

EDDIE BURNETTE

RUSSELL HICKS 

ATHENA MARKHAM

SAM WINKLER

NOELLE WOODCOCK,

       KATLYN TUCK,