As long-time supporters of the Virginia Museum of Natural History ...

October 21, 2016

As long-time supporters of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, William and Ella Cousins Carter valued the museum and its scientific research and education programs, particularly the paleontology programs. To solidify their long-term support of the museum, Mr. and Mrs. Carter generously designated a gift of $220,664 in their estate to benefit the museum's endowment. To honor this gift, the museum recently hosted a reception for friends of the Carters to officially name the Allosaurus exhibit in their memory.

"We are truly humbled by this generous estate gift designated by Mr. and Mrs. Carter," said Dr. Joe B. Keiper, executive director of VMNH. "Estate gifts and other planned gifts like this go towards our endowment, which is key to the future success of our scientists and educators."

A member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954 to 1957, Mr. Carter practiced criminal law in Martinsville, Virginia for nearly 50 years. Mrs. Carter served a teacher, having taught from 1941 to 1945 in the museum's former facility which was previously the Joseph Martin Elementary School.

"The Virginia Museum of Natural History Foundation Board is very grateful for this generous estate gift designated by Mr. and Mrs. Carter," said Manly Boyd, president of the VMNH Foundation. "Gifts to the VMNH Endowment directly benefit not only children and learners of all ages today, but also future generations of Virginians who will experience programs made possible by this sustaining gift."

Dr. Nick Fraser, former curator of paleontology at VMNH who now serves as keeper of natural sciences at the National Museum of Scotland, praised Mrs. Carter's support of VMNH.

"Mrs. Carter was an amazing person who took a great interest in the world around us," Fraser said. "I always enjoyed my conversations with her and she invariably had some insightful comments to make. She was remarkably generous and I am delighted to see that the Allosaurus is to be named in her and her husband's honor."

To learn more about the Allosaurus exhibit and naming opportunities for other exhibits and museum spaces, please visit www.vmnh.net