History

The Golf Museum and the Club have had a symbiotic relationship since the Club was opened on July 2, 1932.

The museum was founded by Archer M. Huntington, the principal owner of the Newport News shipyard, in the first part of the 20th century. Huntington built the world-renowned Mariners' Museum for the people of the Tidewater area, so he agreed to fund a museum of golf for the members of James River Country Club. The two museums are less than a half-mile apart, just minutes off Interstate 64 at the J. Clyde Morris Boulevard exit.

The museum is not only the oldest golf museum in the world, but is home to some of the oldest artifacts that date back to the 1700s. The mission of the Golf Museum is to display artifacts depicting the ancient and honorable history of the game. As you enter the 1,800 square foot, newly renovated Golf Museum, the room is lit up by history and heritage, creating speechless reactions. A large, eight- by twelve-foot, high-definition projection screen drops down from the ceiling, making it accessible to any event. With such an impressive backdrop, it's no wonder that the Golf Museum is a popular room to host an event.

The James River Country Club's Golf Museum was featured in the May/June 2021 issue of Virginia Golfer Magazine. Click here to read the article on page 42.