Danville Museum

of Fine Arts and History

Danville Museum

of Fine Arts and History

Our History

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, founded in 1974, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art, history, and culture in the Dan River Region. Situated in Danville, Virginia, the museum’s main attraction is the historic Sutherlin Mansion, which served as the temporary residence of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The museum offers various educational programs and exhibits, including art galleries, a Civil Rights exhibition, and a permanent Civil War exhibit. It collaborates with local organizations and educational institutions to provide cultural resources and programs for residents and visitors. The museum’s outreach extends to underserved rural communities, aiming to make its offerings accessible to all, including those facing financial challenges. The board emphasizes diversity and inclusivity in its leadership and programming.

The Danville Museum campus includes the Sutherlin Mansion, Swanson Studios, a Research Center, the Perkinson Rose Garden, and park-like grounds. The Mansion includes the historic home, a grand auditorium, two art galleries, three collections galleries, a Civil Rights exhibition and a permanent Civil War exhibit. The Museum leases the property from the City of Danville. The site has been designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark and a Garden Club of Virginia Historic Restoration Project, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond and is a designated site of the Virginia Civil War Trails and Time Travelers programs.

Our People

Sonja Ingram the Executive Director of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History

Sonja Ingram

Executive Director

Sonja is the executive director for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, where she is responsible for coordinating and directing all museum operations and programming. Before joining DMFAH, Sonja worked for Preservation Virginia from 2008 to 2023 assisting individuals and organizations across the Commonwealth to preserve important historic places.

During her time at Preservation Virginia, Sonja managed Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places List, the Preservation Academy, Preservation Awards, Preservation Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools Program, and Preservation Virginia’s Tobacco Barns Program.
Before joining Preservation Virginia, Sonja was the Assistant Director for the Archaeological Conservancy’s Eastern Regional Office in Frederick, Maryland. She also worked as a historic preservation planner for Frederick City government, and as a land preservationist for Loudoun County and Frederick County governments. Her archaeological experience also includes working for the National Forestry Service, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and cultural resource management firms in the southern United States, Mid-Atlantic, and Puerto Rico.
Sonja serves on several nonprofit advisory boards including the Southside African American Cemetery Preservation Society, the Pittsylvania Historical Society, Literacy Interactives, Inc., and Friends of the Old West End.

Sara Shorter the Director of Finance, Bookkeeping and Administration smiling at the camera during an event at the museum

Sara Shorter

Director of Finance, Bookkeeping and Administration

Sara is a graduate of UNC Greensboro with a master’s degree in accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant and worked with a private firm for three years and then with the Department of Taxation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she retired in 2014. She joined the Museum on a part-time basis in 2015.

Sara lives on a farm that has been in the family since 1835, along with her husband and two dogs. 

Cathy Eggleston the Gift Shop Manager standing in front of a board saying "Art Gallery / Original Local Artwork for Sale"

Cathy Eggleston

Volunteers, Events, and Gift Shop Manager

Originally from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Cathy moved to Danville in September of 2020. In October of 2022, she began volunteering at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. Shortly after, she was hired to run the gift shop. Most recently, Cathy helped to open the Art Gallery, a place for local artists to display and sell their original art. 

Cathy loves her job and meeting all the wonderful people who visit. She also enjoys creating her own art, singing, spending time with her children and grandchildren and her cats, Bison and Laris.

Berkley Pritchett

Collections Manager

Berkley Pritchett is the Collections Manager at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. He started working at the museum as a volunteer and was hired as the collections manager in 2022. His duties include accessing items for the museum’s collections.

Berkley has always had an interest in history and the arts.  Working at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History allows Berkley to combine both of his interests.  This job has allowed him to learn more about his hometown and the surrounding area.  In his free time, he likes to listen to music, watch movies, read, and write fiction.

Interested in Joining the Team?

Join a collaborative and creative workforce where your skills and enthusiasm will contribute to the preservation and presentation of our world’s diverse heritage. At Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, we believe in the power of art, history, and education to inspire and connect communities. Get started today.

Our Board

John D. Harris

President

Connie Fletcher

Vice President

Justin Ferrell

Treasurer

Sandy Saunders

Secretary

Mira Becher

Board Member Emerita

Gayle Breakley

Board Member

Charles Crumpler

Board Member

Steve Delgiorno

Board Member

Natalie Flemming

Board Member

Andrew Hessler

Board Member

Faye Kushner

Board Member

Michael Newman

Board Member

Donnie Parris

Board Member

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