The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, is offering free admission again this year, a policy it began during the pandemic. The museum, housed in a turn-of-the-century mansion, features the Sloane Collection—over 5,000 years of art and objects assembled by Florence K. Sloane—and offers tours, gardens, art classes, and special events like the Bruce Munro light art exhibit.
This matters because the Hermitage Museum provides accessible cultural enrichment to the Norfolk community and beyond, preserving a unique, intact collection assembled by a single female collector. Its free admission policy lowers barriers to experiencing art and history, while its educational programs and seasonal exhibits keep the institution relevant and engaging for local audiences and visitors.