Visit the DMFAH Today!
Our mission is to promote art, history, and culture in the Dan River Region. You can see the Sutherlin Mansion, Swanson Studios, Perkinson Rose Guard, and other great historic sites.
GUIDES:
Women from the Danville - Pittsylvania County
Open Mar 24th – Apr 15th
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the DMFAH is having a special exhibition on women from the area.
Have a Special Event?
You can rent the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History for weddings, family reunions, and any other special events.
Camilla Williams Exhibit
Camilla Williams generously donated her personal effects to the Danville Museum. Come visit our permanent exhibit about her life today!
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
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.
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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
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.
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Sara lives on a farm that has been in the family since 1835, along with her husband and two dogs.
Cathy Eggleston
Volunteers, Events, and Gift Shop Manager
Cathy is the museum’s volunteer and events coordinator. She also runs the museum’s gift shop. Most recently, Cathy helped to open the Art Gallery, a place for local artists to display and sell their original art. As Events Coordinator, Cathy manages the rental of museum spaces for group tours, meetings, weddings, parties and other gatherings.
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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 and is now an employee. Cathy loves her job and meeting all the wonderful people who visit. She also enjoys creating her own art, singing, and spending time with her children and grandchildren and her cats, Bison and Laris.
Berkley Pritchett
Collectons Manager
Berkley Pritchett is the museum’s Collections and Research Specialist. His duties involve assisting museum colleagues with collections management; and performing historical and institutional research for programs and exhibits. Berkley also helps to provide first-rate customer service to museum visitors and members and supports the public-facing aspects of museum operations such as the welcome desk, tours, programs, exhibits, events, and the gift shop.
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Berkley has always had an interest in history and the arts. Working at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History allows him to combine both of his interests. His job has also 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.
Jaade Williams
Museum Services Specialist
Jaade Williams joined the museum in 2014 as the part-time Education Coordinator. She is a graduate of Kaplan University with a master’s in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs. She also attended Old Dominion University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in Human Services with a minor in Psychology. She currently works full-time at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as an Academic Advisor.
Since stepping down from her role as Education Coordinator, Jaade has continued to work part-time at the museum in various roles, including being a docent and providing staff coverage for weekend and after-hour events.
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Heidi Varga
Museum Services Specialist
As a museum services specialist, Heidi’s duties involve providing first-rate customer service to museum visitors and members and supporting the public-facing aspects of museum operations such as the welcome desk, tours, programs, exhibits, events, and the gift shop.
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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.