In 1893, a revitalized Society moved into the wartime home of General Robert E. Lee's family at 707 East Franklin Street. The headquarters remained there until 1959, when the Society's offices, research library, and collections moved to Battle Abbey, formerly a museum and memorial to Confederate soldiers. For the next three decades, the Society operated almost exclusively as a research library, limiting its public to scholars. In the late 1980s, however, it underwent a major institutional transformation and greatly expanded its public. Serving the commonwealth as the Center for Virginia History, the Society now offers a wide variety of exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs annually.
Additional galleries host changing exhibitions on various aspects of Virginia history.
Noontime and evening lecture series, gallery walks and talks, and other special programs provide many opportunities to meet regionally and nationally acclaimed historians, authors, and scholars of Virginia history. In addition, the Society conducts active statewide outreach programs, including traveling exhibits, workshops for teachers, in-school activities, and services to local historical societies and museums. Members receive the Society's award-winning publications as well as invitations to special events. The Museum Shop offers an impressive assortment of books, gifts, and specialty items.