The purpose and mission of the Virginia Living Museum is to stimulate knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of the biological and physical world and to promote an understanding of our relationship to the environment. This is accomplished by providing a variety of living interpretive exhibits and programs that encourage a commitment to the protection and conservation of our natural world and its delicately balanced components.

Description:
The goals of the Virginia Living Museum are to initiate, organize, and conduct programs for the enjoyment and education of the public and membership. Special emphasis is placed on the education of young people by providing classes to supplement their normal school work and to encourage appreciation of our natural resources. Nature oriented programs and workshops encourage productive use of leisure time. Planetarium and observatory programs are presented to further our understanding of the universe.

History:
The Junior League of Hampton Roads and the Warwick Rotary Club combined efforts in 1964-65 to construct the Junior Nature Museum and Planetarium on 25 acres of land on Deer Park Lake. The 7,500 square foot museum containing a planetarium, small exhibits gallery, a classroom, and support space was dedicated by Governor Mills Godwin on November 13, 1966.

Exhibits were renewed and enhanced in 1976, focusing on native Virginia wildlife and the Virginia environment which existed around the time of the Jamestown Settlement. A 14" telescope, heliostat and astronomy exhibits added a thrust into physical science and technology. The Board changed the name to the Peninsula Nature and Science Center to reflect this expanded mission and appeal to adults as well as youth.

More classrooms, exhibit halls and physical science displays were added in 1981 which nearly doubled the size of the Center (to 17,000 square feet). This new addition was officially dedicated by Governor Charles Robb.

In 1983, upon recognizing a further need for growth, an Ad Hoc Committee of the Center's Trustees, independent consultants, professional staff and community leaders assembled to discuss how the Center should keep pace with the growing needs of the community. The plan for transforming the Peninsula Nature and Science Center into America's first "Living Museum" east of the Mississippi River was approved, and the project began to take shape. On February 28, 1986, ground was broken for the $3.2 million renovation known as the Virginia Living Museum Project. The best elements of a natural history museum, nature center, aquarium, planetarium, zoological park and botanical garden were combined into a single facility.

The "Virginia Living Museum" opened on May 17, 1987, with an official dedication by Governor Gerald Baliles. As the first "living museum" east of the Mississippi River, and the sixth one nationally, the Virginia Living Museum has received much acclaim since opening.

The Virginia Living Museum embarked on an exciting construction plan. The Coastal Plain Aviary opened in summer 2001 and new habitats for our animals along the new outdoor trail. With the expansion, the indoor exhibits now cover 62,000 square feet in a state-of-the-art facility, featuring four distinct galleries. The new museum includes two 2-story habitariums containing free-flying songbirds, waterfowl, alligators and a waterfall. Many new animals not previously on exhibit have been added. Eight acres of outdoor "living habitats" present animal and plant life native to Virginia and the Eastern Coastal Plain of North America. The 75-seat planetarium featuring advanced projection equipment for creatively presented shows about the Universe will remain in the former museum, now the "Education Building."

Contact people:

Shandran Thornburgh, Chief Volunteer Officer, (phone), (email) Gloria Moore, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (757) 599-4897

Address:

524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News, VA 23601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.theVLM.org

Directions:

From Interstate 64, take exit 258A. You will then be on J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Proceed through several stoplights until you get to the intersection of Jefferson Ave. Go through this light, and turn left at the. . . (more)