Cameras are ubiquitous these days; most of us carry one around in our pockets thanks to smartphone technology. But that hasn’t always been the case. If you take a moment to think about the evolution of these machines, it’s difficult not to be impressed. To really dive into the history of cameras over the past centuries, we’d recommend taking a trip to the Camera Heritage Museum in Staunton. This little-known camera museum in Virginia is downright fascinating, whether you’re a professional photographer or simply have an interest in history.

Welcome to the Camera Heritage Museum! The single largest collection of cameras open to the public in the U.S., this destination is one that will surely impress.
Christopher Dion / Google
Step inside the space and you'll find yourself surrounded by over 4,500 cameras and accessories. What's more, some of the cameras date back as early as the 1840s!
Christopher Dion / Google
Photographed below, for example, is one model that was used around 1898. Isn't it incredible to see how far camera technology has come?
Camera Heritage Museum / Facebook

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One of the most fascinating parts of the museum is being able to see authentic examples of photographs that various camera models would have produced. In fact, there are more than 20,00 historic images to see!
Ryan Archer / Google
Tours of the museum are self-guided; however, the staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Visitors tend to spend an average of two hours here.
Tom Devlin / Google
So whether you're a historian, camera enthusiast, or simply appreciate a well-run museum, you'll find there's a lot to appreciate about this one-of-a-kind camera museum in Virginia.
Ted Kidwell / Google

What are your thoughts on the Camera Heritage Museum? Did you know that this one-of-a-kind camera museum in Virginia existed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments – we’d love to hear from you! For more information, you can visit the Camera Heritage Museum online. You can also follow the Camera Heritage Museum on Facebook for updates.

Love one-of-a-kind museums? Be sure to check out the Roanoke Pinball Museum!

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The Camera Heritage Museum, 1 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401, USA