Calendar
Conserving Amphibians on the Virginia PeninsulaGlobal amphibian populations are declining rapidly. To address this, researchers study amphibian ecology on the Virginia Peninsula. One study focuses on two toad species’ movements during their non-breeding period to understand their habitat needs. Another investigates factors influencing the number of salamanders in creeks by examining water quality, stream conditions, and surrounding land cover. This research aims to provide crucial insights to slow down amphibian losses. Before the main event, student researchers will showcase their local herpetology research through engaging poster presentations. Take this opportunity to mingle with the presenters, learn about their findings, and gain insights into the importance of protecting amphibian species. Dr. Matthias Leu has been a faculty member in the Biology Department at William & Mary since 2009. |
|||||
Reptiles and Amphibians WeekendExperience a close encounter of the reptile kind! A wide variety of native and exotic reptiles will be on display and in live animal programs. Enjoy seeing unusual reptiles displayed by guest exhibitors, as well as crafts, activities, and reptile-related planetarium shows throughout the weekend.
|
|||||
Reptiles and Amphibians WeekendExperience a close encounter of the reptile kind! A wide variety of native and exotic reptiles will be on display and in live animal programs. Enjoy seeing unusual reptiles displayed by guest exhibitors, as well as crafts, activities, and reptile-related planetarium shows throughout the weekend.
|
|||||
Eggstravaganza 2024Calling all nature enthusiasts, egg lovers, and curious minds! Join us as we explore the wonderful world of animals that lay eggs. Activities Include:
Price: Included in admission or membership.
|
|||||
Solar Eclipse 2024Join us for a truly rare celestial event and witness the solar eclipse at the Virginia Living Museum! From 2:00-4:30 pm, we’ll gather on the Conservation Lawn to witness the eclipse (weather permitting) and learn from our education staff how eclipses work. You can safely gaze at the sun with solar-viewing glasses available for purchase while supplies last in the Wild Things Museum Store, or watch the live broadcast from totality on monitors throughout the Museum. Come early for the “Eclipse 2024” planetarium show at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, or 12:30 pm. |
|||||
April 13: Stargazing NightCost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show. At 5:15 pm, delve into the secrets of the cosmos with a free gravitational waves science program presented by Christopher Newport University (CNU) Physics Department Gravitational Wave Group. Dive deep into the mysteries of the cosmos as we explore gravitational waves, their detection, and the invaluable insights they offer. The free science show will take place in Classroom 3 and 4, welcoming everyone to participate. Following the presentation, unleash your inner scientist with hands-on activities suitable for both kids and adults. Delve into interactive experiments and discover the wonders of science firsthand. Virginia Skies A live guided tour of the current evening sky with a staff astronomer. Recommended for all ages.
iPop Time: 7:00pm An incredible mix of music from the first iTunes generation, all set with awesome laser imagery. Ages 6 and up. Show Playlist
Laser Bowie Time: 8:30pm The glam. The rock. The artistry. The lasers. Experience it all with this melding of the music of David Bowie and laser animations. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
Dark Side of the Moon Time: 10pm Recommended: ages 15 and above From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere. Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable. Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense. Show Playlist
Warning: Please be advised that laser shows contain bright, sometimes flashing lights and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light and noise. |
|||||
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. |
|||||
Gardening like an EcologistIncorporating native plants into your garden has numerous ecological benefits. But what do you plant and where? Plants are living, responding, dynamic organisms, and understanding their biology can help you select plants and make gardening decisions. In this presentation, you will learn about how plants are adapted to specific environments, what’s going on belowground, and how plants interact with herbivores and pollinators. By thinking like an ecologist, you can build a garden landscape that supports native biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Janet Steven received an undergraduate degree in biology from Davidson College and a PhD in Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. |
|||||
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. |
|||||
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. |
|||||
FrogWatch April 2024Minimum age: 11 years old. Children ages 11-14 must have an adult present. Event is free but registration is required. All sessions will be from 2pm-4pm.
|
|||||
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. |
|||||
Spring Native Plant Sale 2024Member Preview Sale: April 18 | 4-6pm Public Sale: April 20-21, 27-28 | 9am-4:30pm Choose from an incredible array of beautiful and unusual native plants for a variety of garden sites and styles, from wet ponds to dry rock gardens. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. The Virginia Living Museum’s horticulture staff holds this annual sale as a fund-raiser, but the real goal is to introduce the gardening public to the incredible variety of native plants that will do well in the landscape, and to educate gardeners about those which are better left in the wild. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. |
|||||
FrogWatch April 2024Minimum age: 11 years old. Children ages 11-14 must have an adult present. Event is free but registration is required. All sessions will be from 2pm-4pm.
|
|||||
Adult Prom: Starry, Starry NightRecreate the magic of prom at this adult only (21+) event, and join us for an evening under the stars. The Virginia Living Museum’s first Adult Prom: Starry, Starry Night will include music, dancing, games, sky-readings, planetarium shows, food and adult beverages. Show up in your finest prom attire – sequins, ruffles, and throwback looks encouraged! Cost: $18 Non-members, $15 members, includes one drink ticket – Prices will increase to $20 for non-members and $17 for members day of the event. Cash Bar $4 per drink ticket. |
|||||
Virginia Tells the History of Life on Earth: From Ancient Seas to Hairy ElephantsEarth has hosted complex life for 600 million years, evident in Virginia’s diverse fossil record. Ranging from ancient reefs in the Appalachian Mountains to dinosaur-era rocks in valleys and coastal fossils spanning 60 million years, Virginia offers a unique glimpse into Earth’s extensive prehistory. The state’s fossil record includes evidence from the Ice Ages and giant fossil mammals, like the Hart-Fiscella Mastodon at the Virginia Living Museum. This presentation uses specific fossils to showcase the vast timeline and diversity of life’s history. Dr. Adam Pritchard received a B.A. in Biology from McDaniel College (Westminster, MD) and a Ph.D. in Anatomical Sciences from Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY). |
|||||
The Great Dismal Swamp: A refuge for people, Underground Railroad site for freedom seekers and Spiritual energy for reflection, healing and hope for future generationsThe Moses Grandy slave narrative entitled “The Life of Moses Grandy; Late a Slave in the United States of America” was published in 1843 by the British & Foreign Anti-Slavery Society in London, England. I uncovered this document during my family genealogy research in 2001. It is an honor for me to be a descendant of the Grandy family from Camden, North Carolina and it is also the birthplace of my ancestor Moses Grandy. The presentation will take you on the journey through the Moses Grandy slave narrative that leads into the historical significance for people at the Great Dismal Swamp, which opened the doors of strategic partnership between the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the historic Barotse Kingdom in Western Province, Zambia. Eric earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management from the University of Maryland, University College and holds Associate in Arts Degree from Catonsville Community College and Associate in Applied Science Degree from the Community College of the Air Force. |
|||||
Dino Pajama Jam 2024Cost: $12.00 per member, $15.00 per non-member, children ages 2 & under are free. Come join the Virginia Living Museum for some dino-tastic family fun! This two-hour event will be just right for everyone looking to get out of the house for an evening and party with a Live DJ on our dance floor, enjoy light snacks, and participate in arts & crafts activities. |