Welcome to the Virginia Living Museum
Virginia’s Animal Attraction & Dino Destination
The Virginia Living Museum is a successful public-private partnership, since 1966, between the City of Newport News and the Virginia Living Museum, a public non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (54-6055922). Together we connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation.
BUILT by the Community, BELOVED by the Community and SUSTAINED by the Community, the Museum depends on private donations to succeed. We appreciate your financial contribution to support engaging education, animal welfare and conservation experiences for you and your family. Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund or a planned gift to our Endowment for future sustainability.
What You’ll See
Animals in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. We provide a sanctuary for orphaned, non-releasable or injured animals.
Plants in Action
The Virginia Living Museum has one of the largest displays of native plants in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Geology in Action
The Virginia Living Museum’s Underground Gallery is a journey back through Virginia’s ancient past, a past that has created a rich and colorful present.
Planetarium in Action
Travel the universe in the digital state-of-the-art Abbitt Planetarium Theater. The 71-seat planetarium theater, renovated and upgraded in 2008, offers a fully digital simulation of the sky.
Conservation in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is a certified Virginia Green attraction committed to minimizing its environmental impacts by preventing pollution wherever feasible in its operations.
Happening Today
Animal Feedings
Museum Public Events
Happening Now on Social Media
Recently we hosted the Drucker family at the Museum for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, introducing them to Orion and other special guests.
The Druckers’ invaluable support played a crucial role in bringing the Conservation Command Center to life. The interactive zone boasts six thematic areas, seamlessly blending conservation education with live aquatic species, educational signage, interactive computer games, Turtle Census, an educational nature video, and an augmented reality sand table for immersive learning experiences.
Recently, our Museum proudly showcased lined seahorse babies born on-site, providing guests with a firsthand encounter. This marks a significant stride in our ongoing Species Survival Plan efforts for this unique species.
A heartfelt thank you to the Drucker family for their dedication to conservation and making a positive impact on our mission!
Thank you Ducker family & all the others who help keep the mission alive & well! 🙏
The outer solar system continues to dominate the night sky. Have you noticed an incredibly bright object shining in the east in the early evening? That's Jupiter, largest planet in the solar system. Not far away, you'll find the golden yellow light of Saturn, more towards the southeast than Jupiter. And flanking each of these giants is another giant, one not visible to the unaided eye. Uranus is to the left of Jupiter, while Neptune lies to the left of Saturn, however, to see either of those beautiful bluish objects, you'll need a telescope. If you've got one available, it's worth setting it up to enjoy the views of the four largest planets in our solar system. #VASkies #valivingmuseum