DHR Partners with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on International Underwater Archaeology Exhibit

By Brendan Burke | DHR State Underwater Archaeologist

In March of 2027, a traveling exhibit will premiere at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC). Mysteries from the Deep: Exploring Underwater Archaeology will feature underwater archaeological discoveries from around the globe. Through the exhibit, visitors may explore deep Mayan cenotes and the ancient sunken city of Pavlopetri as well as interact with hands-on exploration by operating a submersible. The exhibit is a collaborative creation of Flying Fish and the Intrepid Museum. It debuted at the Intrepid Museum in 2025 and will open in Seattle’s Pacific Science Center this fall. In 2025, DHR partnered with VMHC to create Virginia-themed content to complement Mysteries from the Deep for its upcoming showing from March through September 2027. Brendan Burke, DHR Underwater Archaeologist, is serving as a guest curator for the exhibit and working with VMHC’s Associate Curator of Exhibitions, Elizabeth Klaczynski. The two are part of a much larger team who have designed the Virginia components to integrate with the larger exhibition.

The Virginia-themed content, named “The Unsinkable Commonwealth,” will feature five zones placed within Mysteries from the Deep. The goal of “The Unsinkable Commonwealth” is to convey the richness and diversity of Virginia’s maritime history when seen through the lens—err…mask—of the underwater archaeologist. Our submerged archaeology is every bit as globally meaningful as the sites highlighted in Mysteries from the Deep, and the five zones tell a few of those amazing stories. From the Upper James River to the Battle of Midway, Virginia’s maritime reach is profound and connected to each of us. We look forward to the exhibit opening next spring and hope you can join us in exploring Mysteries from the Deep!