Small Town, Big Screen: The Library of Congress Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia
September 5, 2025 Things to Do
Written by: Maddie Burbridge
A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Culpeper
When you think of Culpeper, images of quaint, small-town charm and wholesome, rural life are probably the first to come to mind. However, among the sprawling farmland, you’ll also find one of the nation’s most impressive cultural institutions and research centers. Nestled into the side of Mount Pony, the Library of Congress Packard Campus is home to the world’s largest collection of audiovisual recordings. This truly hidden gem is the perfect addition to any Culpeper itinerary and one of the most unique activities in the area.
From Cold War Bunker to Cultural Treasure
The elusive building was originally a bunker for the Federal Reserve and stored cash, computers, and emergency supplies during the Cold War tensions of the 1970s. Built into the landscape, the innovative architecture features underground spaces and a sod-covered roof to create a secure and efficient facility.
Now, instead of disaster supplies, the Packard Campus protects a collection of 6.3 million films, television programs, and radio recordings. The sleek, brutalist architecture houses over 90 miles of shelving and top-of-the-line laboratories for researchers to care for the collection. The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center aims to make these recordings accessible to the public and future generations through restoration and efforts to digitize the media of the past.
Free Weekly Screenings at the Packard Campus Theater
Part of the mission of accessibility includes screenings 3 times a week in the Campus’s elegant 205-seat art deco theater. With high-tech capabilities to play even the oldest motion pictures, the schedule includes programming for niche cinephiles and blockbuster fans alike. Catch a showing of an early black and white film or bring the whole family to enjoy beloved classics like Grease and Forrest Gump. You can find the full schedule here.
Screenings are free to the public; however, you will need to go through airport-like security to enter the building. Availability is first-come, first-served, and the doors open 45 minutes before the show. As it is a research center, there are no concessions, and food and drink are not allowed. You might have to skip the popcorn, but that leaves you with more room to enjoy one of Culpeper’s incredible restaurants before or after your movie! The Packard Campus is only a 10 minute drive from the shops and restaurants on historic Davis Street.
Connecting the Collection to the Public
The Packard Campus also hosts occasional concerts and open houses, so be sure to check the website to get the latest updates.
The collection stored at the Packard Campus is made available for researchers at the Moving Image Research Center and Recorded Sound Research Center at the James Madison Building of the Library of Congress in DC. It also provides material for online audio and film collections as well as the National Jukebox, a free digital library of historic sound recordings.
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