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VLM Through the Years

VLMThroughtheYears Phoebe Doty, a volunteer from Huntington Ingalls, writes about the Virginia Living Museum's first five decades recounting stories throughout the museum's 50 years of serving the community.

2006-2016

What organization witnesses dinosaurs, floods, dead bodies and massive expansion in just 50 years? Since 1966 the Virginia Living Museum has brought the cute, crawly, creepy and even cretaceous to the Hampton Roads community. Through indoor and outdoor exhibits, traveling exhibits and educational programs, the…

1996-2006

As the Virginia Living Museum entered its fourth decade, Museum staff and volunteers continued the legacy established by the original Junior Nature Museum and Planetarium. With a firm emphasis on education and wildlife preservation, the Museum pushed into its 40th year with plans for new…

The Virginia Living Museum’s volunteers

Since its inception, the Virginia Living Museum has had more volunteers than staff members. Today, there are nearly five volunteers to every one staff member, and these dedicated individuals support every aspect of the Museum. “Volunteers make the Museum go,” said Shandran Thornburgh, the Museum’s…

Education Program

August 15, 2016 Science is hands-on. This simple but powerful belief is what has driven the Virginia Living Museum’s education program for nearly 30 years. Established in 1987 by Museum Director Bob Sullivan and Education Director Pete Money, the education program continues today to connect…

Animal Stories

When George Mathews first met Moe, now one of the Virginia Living Museum’s otters, Moe only swam in a baby pool and rode around in a wagon. Rescued as a pup after his mother was killed by a boat propeller, Moe spent some time with…

The third decade: 1986-1996

The Virginia Living Museum entered its third decade with a new name, new museum layout and a new purpose as the first living museum east of the Mississippi.  After a $3.2 million building campaign and 10 months of renovation, the museum reopened its doors on…

Virginia Living Museum’s past Directors

Throughout the Virginia Living Museum’s expansions, name changes and transitions, pivotal leadership has bolstered the staff, volunteers and community to continue the Museum’s mission. Key directors in the Museum’s history held on to the vision of the Junior Nature Museum and Planetarium and pushed to…

The second decade: 1976-1986

For the Junior Science Museum and Planetarium, its second decade marked a second wind of interest in Virginia wildlife and science. In 1976, the newly renamed Peninsula Nature and Science Center opened a 7,000-square-foot, $60,000 addition. Beyond its wildlife exhibits and planetarium, the Museum now…