Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia conducts research in support of its current and future exhibits and programs. Its research areas include the early modern cultural, economic, political, and social history of England, Germany, and Ireland; pre-colonial West Africa, with special attention to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria; Atlantic history and the migration of people and culture; colonial America and the United States to 1860, with special attention to Virginia west of the Blue Ridge Mountains; and the creation, growth, and spread of American frontier culture. The Museum also conducts research on a range of special topics such as historic agriculture and farming practices; rare and minor breeds of livestock; food and foodways; material culture, tools, implements, and furnishings; vernacular architecture and landscapes; traditional arts and crafts; costuming and textiles; domestic skills and household management; land tenure and use; inheritance practices; and exchange and trade.

The Museum maintains a non-lending, research library of over five thousand books on the subjects outlined above as well as others. The Museum's library is open to the public by appointment between the hours of 9:00AM and 5:00PM, Monday through Friday. Weekend access can also be arranged if necessary. To make an appointment to use the library contact Eric Bryan at (540) 332-7850 X135 (Eric.Bryan(a)fcmv.virginia.gov) or, David Puckett at (540) 332-7850 X164 (David.Puckett(a)fcmv.virginia.gov).