Northumberland Public Library to host exhibition spanning 250 years of immigration to Virginia

NORTHUMBERLAND—Stories of opportunity, community and resilience will come to life at Northumberland Public Library (NPL) in “We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth.”

The exhibition, curated by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), brings together distinct voices and perspectives on the immigrant experience of Virginians.

“We are super excited about this upcoming exhibit,” said NPL director Jane Blue. The exhibit will be on view August 31 through October 12 at NPL, 7204 Northumberland Highway, Heathsville.

This traveling version of “We The People” features panels, images and curation that encapsulate the core of the exhibition as displayed at the VMHC—a signature component of the multi-year commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America.

“We The People” presents the deeply personal narratives of individuals born across the world who sought freedom, opportunity and refuge by immigrating to the U.S. Pairing historic accounts with contemporary stories, the exhibition highlights the profound way immigrants have both shaped and been shaped by Virginia and this nation.

“With the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026, collectively we must embrace the historic moment—extraordinary in our lifetimes—and act upon it by together renewing our commitment to the unfinished pursuit of A More Perfect Union,” said VMHC president and chief executive officer Jamie Bosket.

“We invite visitors and the nation to reflect deeply on our past and invest with great purpose in our future by using Virginia history as a lens into our American journey. ‘We The People,’ and the people highlighted in this ambitious exhibition, are an essential part of the making of this Commonwealth,” said Bosket.

“‘We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth’ explores the complex history of immigration to Virginia by telling the stories of people who left their country and made Virginia home. At a time when immigration is ever-present in the news, it is my hope that everyone who visits the exhibition will see a little of their own history in the experiences of Virginia immigrants,” said curator Julie Kemper.

VMHC was among the first institutions to convene statewide history leaders and encouraged the Virginia General Assembly to found the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration (VA250). In July 2023, VMHC announced a comprehensive program for the anniversary, including two marquee exhibitions, “We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth” and “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation,” which opened in March 2025 as the first major exhibition in the nation to mark the milestone anniversary.