The Veterans Affairs Heritage Act of 2026 establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs History Office to preserve and share the department's historical records, artifacts, and contributions to veterans. The office will be headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, and led by a Chief Historian who reports directly to the Veterans Affairs Secretary, with support from an internal coordination group comprising senior department officials. The office will take over management of the Veterans Legacy Program and Veterans Legacy Memorial from the National Cemetery Administration and assume responsibility for an oral history program previously managed by the Library of Congress. The Secretary must submit a detailed planning report to Congress within 180 days of enactment covering staffing, budget, facility construction, and organizational structure, with annual progress reports required through December 31, 2030, which marks the department's centennial year and a target date for establishing robust public exhibits and outreach activities. The office is also authorized to accept donations, enter partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and lease facilities to generate revenue for its operations, with the eight-year requirement to maintain the office's Dayton location subject to review after that period.
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