Turner Introduces Veterans Affairs Heritage Act to Establish VA History Office in Dayton

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH 10) along with Congressman Greg Landsman (OH 01) introduced the Veterans Affairs Heritage Act of 2026, bi-partisan legislation to formally establish a Department of Veterans Affairs History Office and locate it in Dayton, Ohio. The office would include a VA history program and a national history center dedicated to preserving the records, artifacts, and stories of the Department of Veterans Affairs and its predecessor organizations.

“Dayton has long stood at the center of our nation’s military, veterans, and innovation history, and it is the right home for this important effort,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “The service of America’s veterans is not only a matter of policy — it is part of who we are as a nation. This legislation will ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs has a permanent, professional capability to preserve its history, honor those who served, and help future generations understand the sacrifices and achievements of our veterans.”

The Veterans Affairs Heritage Act would establish a History Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This Office would be tasked with the collection, preservation, and provision of access to historical records, artifacts, and cultural resources. This Office’s essential mission would be to tell the comprehensive story of the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans, federal agencies, researchers, and the public.

"We have to keep finding meaningful ways to recognize and support our veterans. A permanent National VA History Center in Dayton, Ohio will help connect future generations to the stories and sacrifices of those who served,” said Congressman Greg Landsman.

For years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized the need for an internal history office. This legislation establishes this crucial office, relying on work done by the Department. The legislation builds on existing VA efforts to strengthen its history program, including VA Directive 7777, which established policy, responsibilities, and management direction for the VA History Program. The directive recognized the VA’s obligation to preserve and document its history, guide VA leaders, and tell the Department’s story to VA employees, veterans, other federal agencies, and the public.

Under this bill, the VA History Office would be responsible for public education, exhibits, publications, historical research, digitization, archival management, restoration, and training related to the preservation of VA historical materials. The bill would also support the construction, renovation, repair, operation, and maintenance of facilities used for preservation, public access, storage, research, education, and exhibit space.

The legislation would further establish an internal coordination group within the VA to assist the History Office, promote continuity, and ensure the program is properly supported across the Department. It also authorizes partnerships and cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations to help advance the mission of preserving and sharing VA history.

The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a long-range planning report to Congress within 180 days of enactment, including plans for staffing, budget, organizational structure, and construction or renovation of facilities supporting the VA History Office and National Department of Veterans Affairs History Center. The Chief Historian would also be required to submit annual progress reports to Congress through 2030, the centennial year of the Department of Veterans Affairs.



“The history of the Department of Veterans Affairs is inseparable from the history of the men and women who wore the uniform,” Congressman Turner said. “By establishing this office in Dayton, we can protect that legacy, strengthen historical preservation within the VA, and build on our region’s proud tradition of service to our nation’s veterans.”