Museums
The Museums at W&L advance learning through direct engagement with the collections and facilitate an interdisciplinary appreciation of art, history, and culture.
Museums at Washington and Lee University
The Museums at W&L consist of the University Chapel & Galleries, the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, and Watson Galleries. Works from the ceramics, art and history collections are also on view in several campus buildings.
Our Mission
The Museums at W&L advance learning through direct engagement with the collections and facilitate an interdisciplinary appreciation of art, history, and culture.
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Plan Your Visit
Visit the Museums
Visit on your own or with a group, reserve a space for an event, or find out how you can help support our mission.
University, K12, and Community
Learn with the Museums
The Museums at W&L hold exhibitions, lectures, classes, and events throughout the year. These events, along with the collections, provide ample opportunities to integrate museum learning into academic life.
Online Resources
Explore the Collections
The Museums at W&L is committed to making the collections more accessible for viewing and research.
Museum Highlights
Check out the latest programming and announcements from the Museums at W&L!
Stephanie Shih, 2023, Inaugural Artist-in-Residence
Artist-In-Residence Program
The Artist-in-Residence, an inaugural program at the Museums at Washington and Lee University, is an opportunity for an invited artist to pursue artistic projects that bring new knowledge and fresh perspectives inspired by the Museums’ art collection.
Check Out What Some of our Alumni are Doing in the Field
Alumni Highlight - Padget Sutherland ’17
Featuring Padget Sutherland, an Art History and Classics double major, now working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a Development Officer for the Director’s Office.
“Inscapes” Pairings by WLU Students
Listen and Reflect at Watson Galleries
“I felt drawn to this piece because the blooming yellow centrality reminded me of a garden bursting forth with life. The splatters of yellows on green and purple feel explosive and full of energy, but the surrounding muted blues and greens balance out this feeling into something slower, more dignified. This harmony led me to choose a song that feels the same, hopeful and swelling with life that moves along a measured, growing path.”
Check Out What Some of our Alumni are Doing in the Field
Alumni Highlight
Featuring India Dial, an Art History major and Museum Studies minor, now working for Christie’s Auction House in New York City as a Junior Specialist in the Decorative Arts Department, specializing in Ceramics and Asian Works of Art.
Museums at W&L in the News
News from the collections, exhibits, galleries, and more
Leading Expert and Scholar of Chinese Export Ceramics to Deliver Lecture at W&L
William R. Sargent’s talk on May 2 is part of the closing ceremony for Stephanie Shih’s ‘LONG TIME NO SEE (好久不見).’
Leah Naomi Green to Hold Reading and Conversation on Language and Narrative
The April 7 event is part of the Museums at W&L’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ series.
Washington and Lee will loan iconic Peale portrait to upcoming Virginia history exhibit on view in Richmond and Yorktown.
University of Virginia Professor Sylvia Chong to Deliver Lecture on Commodity Orientalism
The March 14 talk is part of the Museums at W&L’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ series.
Banu Subramaniam of Wellesley College to Deliver Lecture on Modern Plant Sciences
The plant evolutionary biologist’s talk will be held on Mar. 13 at 5:30 p.m. on W&L’s campus.
Ceramicist and Physicist Hideo Mabuchi to Deliver Lecture on Ceramics and Cultural Belonging
The Stanford University professor’s talk will be held on March 6 at 5:30 p.m. on W&L’s campus.
Sandy de Lissovoy is the Next Speaker in the Anne and Edgar Basse Jr. Author Talk Series
De Lissovoy will deliver a lecture on “Unpacking an Art Exhibit and Thinking Like Collage” on Jan. 27.
Museums at W&L: Winter 2025 Programs and Exhibitions
The Museums at W&L invite the public to explore its exhibitions and collections with select programming through May.
Award-Winning Poet Sally Wen Mao to Deliver Glasgow Reading at W&L
The public reading on Nov. 7 will be accompanied by a writing workshop for W&L students.
Meditation Garden Series Offers Space for Reflection
The Museums at W&L will lead guided meditations on Saturdays from Oct. 12 through Nov. 2 in the Watson Galleries, in conjunction with Emma Steinkraus’ “Impossible Garden/Dusk & Dawn” exhibit.
The Museums at W&L Present Emma Steinkraus’ ‘Impossible Garden: Dusk & Dawn’
The exhibition, on view starting Oct. 2, celebrates women artists in overlooked genres.
Indigenous Artist Sandra Laronde to Deliver Lenfest Center Series Keynote Address at W&L
An authentic Indigenous dinner will accompany Laronde’s talk on Oct. 7 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.