Virginia Discovery Museum – Explore Something New!
As parents all over central Virginia know, the Virginia Discovery Museum (VDM) has become a vital link as a safe place to take their young children to play and explore the revolving exhibits and fun, brightly colored rooms on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall since 1990.
Any given weekend you can see children attending birthday parties with different themes or special camps geared to the sciences, arts or storytelling.
A special area was created for babies up until age 5 when it was realized that the very young sometimes get run over by older children in their excitement to get to the next exhibit. And there are quiet spaces for those children that prefer to read and play on their own or just with their parents.
The museum is divided into the front gallery – which currently features A-Mazing Airways, The Discovery Garage, and the Virginia Heritage Area (this replicates an authentic log cabin and children can set the table or climb up in the loft area) – a hallway (where they can learn all about the ABCs and 123s of Virginia) that connects the front and back galleries – and the back gallery, which showcases Little C’Ville, a mini-town that includes a Panera Bread, UVA Children’s Hospital, the Discovery Firestation and VDM’s Observation BeeHive. The ever present bee hive has been fascinating adults and kids alike since it was first installed.
At present the bees are with their beekeepers in Earlysville for a medical visit. VDM’s Bee Corner is sponsored by Charlottesville Family Magazine and dedicated beekeepers, Karen and Ken Hall.
Strong local ties
According to their website, VDM “was established in 1981 to organize a group of traveling exhibits throughout Central Virginia. As the popularity of the programs increased, the Board of Directors resolved to find a permanent home for the museum in Charlottesville. Located first in a two-story house, VDM quickly outgrew its space and in 1990 moved to its current location on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.
“In addition to creating new exhibits, VDM established a variety of on-site educational programs and special events for children and families. As part of its commitment to the Charlottesville community, VDM also increased outreach to low-income families, expanded operating hours, forged a closer relationship with area schools and educational institutions, and participated in community-wide tourism and economic development efforts.
“Today, VDM welcomes visitors from across the country and across the world, but remains at its heart a local institution for the local community.”
School Exhibits
For local teachers, Traveling Trunks let you bring the excitement of VDM into the classroom. Each trunk comes with a binder full of information and lesson ideas, as well as all the specialized supplies needed for class. They’re designed for grades Kindergarten through 5th.
Non-consumable supplies are included for up to 30 students at a time. For consumable supplies, such as worksheets, a master original is included so that teachers can make as many copies as needed. Each topic also includes online resources and cross-curricular extensions to fully integrate it into the classroom. Pick up a trunk at the museum, and they are available for the week.
Subjects include: Constellations, Brass Menagerie, Sorting Sea Shells, Q is for Quilts, Passport to Nigeria, Cars!, Clay, Corn, and Clouds:The Pueblo Indians and Trade for Cookies.
Spring Break/Summer camps
Most summer camps run for four days and from 9 am to noon – check the website for camp details and dates. There are regular daily programs as well.
Many local sponsors
On every first and third Saturday each month, Baggby’s, located almost next door, donates 10 percent of their sales to the museum.
Panera Bread is also a long-time supporter of the museum, sponsoring a mini-Panera Bakery in Little C’Ville in the Back Gallery and providing food at numerous events including the Discovery Dash, KidVention, and Day of Caring. Staff, visitors, exhibitors, and volunteers have enjoyed the wonderful collaboration of this partnership.
United Way, each September, provides VDM with enthusiastic volunteers for the Day of Caring. Last September, 35 volunteers from the Daily Progress, University of Virginia Library, UVA College of Arts & Sciences, and VDM staff were able to clean, paint, repair, and present a refreshed look to the public.
Charlottesville Family Magazine is a sponsor of VDM’s Pollination Station and also is a frequent event exhibitor.
Upcoming Events
Quarter Century of Service
The City of Charlottesville has been sponsoring VDM for over 25 years, and it’s been able to enjoy a prime location where it has grown to be the #2 draw on the Downtown Mall. The partnership has allowed children to enjoy a fun and safe educational experience
As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration, VDM is planning to renovate its front gallery this spring, starting April 8, when the museum will close for a month.
According to the website: “Thanks to a grant from the Building Goodness Foundation and a team of skilled contractors and volunteers led by Martin Horn and Arthur Rogers of Martin Horn Inc., the museum will receive new floors and ceiling, lighting, and wall paint.
“The grant also allows VDM as opportunity to increase its impact through new programming an exhibits. The museum, with the help of generous donors, will introduce several new exhibits, including a Sensory Studio for children ages birth to 2, a STEM Lab, a Construction Zone, an updated Creation Station art studio, and a Literacy Lounge. If you have questions or are interested in sponsoring an exhibit, please email vadm@vadm.org.”
Festival of the Book – Saturday, March 19
Wild About Reading – Owls and snakes and possums, oh, my! WHTJ PBS and VDM will play host to some of Virginia’s feathered and furry friends as part of the Virginia Festival of the Book’s StoryFest.
This enlightening program includes encounters with live, non-releasable wild animals who have been given a new lease on life thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Children will receive a free wildlife themed book, courtesy of WHTJ. Free with admission price for kids of all ages – limited to first 150 people.
VDM Wine & Dine at Shadwells Restaurant – Sunday, March 20
Enjoy fresh local seafood, hand-cut steaks, and an extensive wine list, and show your support for VDM. Shadwells Restaurant is sharing 10 percent of its proceeds with the museum on Sunday, March 20, during VDM’s Wine & Dine event to help foster intellectual curiosity and development for all children of our community.
Guests must mention that that they wish to support the Virginia Discovery Museum either when making reservations or when they enter the restaurant. Shadwells is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 20, and the dinner menu is served all day.
VDM’S 26TH Annual Discovery Dash is on Saturday, May 7. Featuring races for kids ages 3-12, and parent-child relays. In October there is the Boo Bash for Halloween and Santa’s Pancake Breakfast.
Hours
Every first Wednesday of the month is Pay What You Wish. Hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. VDM is located at 524 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall, across from the Market Street Parking Garage – 434-977-1025 – vadm@vadm.org.
