News Articles

September 30, 2019

Terri Robertson, museum educator, was at Collinsville First Baptist Church for its annual Fall Festival this past Saturday! Terri provided the hands-on, show-and-tell activity "Eastern Woodland Indian Artifacts" and, judging by these pictures, participants had a great time!

September 27, 2019

Only 3 weeks to go! Be sure to follow the Dragon Festival 2019 event page for updates! Science, history and myth collide during the Dragon Festival on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.! Explore the lore of dragons, the impact these creatures have had on societies across the globe, and the science behind the growth and dissemination of their myth! All of the sights and sounds that make the myth of dragons so alluring will be in full-force throughout the day! EXPERIENCES INCLUDE... Dragon Exhibits A Life-Size Dragon Sculpture Fire Performances Blacksmith Presentations Vikings Stilt Walkers Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors Live music Beer/Meade Garden (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $5 per beer/meade ticket) Ren Faire ...

September 26, 2019

On Wednesday, museum educators, Kayla Lacy and Terri Robertson, were in Chatham, Virginia for the first day of the 2019 SOVA Career Choice! They showed off several of the museum's specimens, while talking to students about their work at the museum and the types of skills and education the students will need to pursue a museum career.

September 26, 2019

Dr. Nancy Moncrief, curator of mammalogy, and Ben Williams, science administrator, are in Chatham, Virginia today for the 2019 SOVA Career Choice! They are talking to students about the type of work they do for the museum and what types of skills and education the students will need to pursue a museum career. Of course, they also brought a variety of museum specimens to show-off to the students!

September 25, 2019

Liberty Hightower, museum research technician, was recently recognized for her 5 years of service to the Virginia Museum of Natural History! Dr. Jim Beard, senior curator of earth sciences, presented her with a 5 year service certificate. Congratulations and thanks for all you do for the museum, Liberty!

September 25, 2019

Museum staff attended a dedication ceremony yesterday for the Natural Bridge State Park Learning Center, a reimagined public space within the park's visitor center. Part of the reimagining includes the new exhibit "Exploring Natural Bridge", which was developed and installed by the museum and focusses on the animals, plants and geology of the park. The exhibit includes a combination of specimens from the museum's scientific collections, as well as the park's own specimens.

September 24, 2019

Huge thanks to the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr., Charitable Foundation Trust for supporting this year's Dragon Festival, along with next year's Ice Age Festival, Reptile Festival, and Dino Festival!

September 23, 2019

Dr. Kal Ivanov, assistant curator of invertebrate zoology, was recently honored for 5 years of service at the Virginia Museum of Natural History! Congratulations and thank you for your service, Kal!

September 19, 2019

Students from Magna Vista High School's 9th grade class are visiting the museum today! Museum staff and interpreters are providing guided tours of the exhibits and live animal collection, as well as conducting a fossil-themed program inside the museum classrooms! Want to give your students the museum experience? Message us today to learn more!

September 17, 2019

Nothing to it! Museum staff successfully hung a life-size cast skeleton of a mosasaur today from the heights of the Hall of Ancient Life. The skeleton was cast by the museum's chief preparator, Ray Vodden. Visitors can now look eye to eye with the museum's newest display from the Fossil Overlook gallery!

September 17, 2019

Dragon Festival is Saturday, October 19! Make your plans today!

September 16, 2019

VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Interested in helping VMNH scientists maintain their collections? How about leading school students on tours of the museum exhibits? Want to help the museum host one of its major events? The museum volunteer program offers a wealth of opportunities for anyone who wants to be a part of the museum team! Come by the museum on Monday, September 23 at 5:30 to learn all about the different opportunities available to you...oh, and refreshments will be served!

September 14, 2019

The Southwestern Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program are visiting Dr. Joe May's bee hives during an insect field trip today!

September 11, 2019

Museum researchers attempted a pilot run today of a flight intercept trap to support the Cicadas of Virginia project initiated by museum Trustee and Research Associate, Dr. Art Evans!

September 11, 2019

TOMORROW AT THE MUSEUM! "The Geology of the Planets of Our Solar System" presented by Dr. James Beard, Senior Curator of Earth Sciences Don't miss the first presentation of the 2019-20 season of 2nd Thursday Science Talks tomorrow (September 12) at 6 p.m. at the museum! The hour-long presentation is free to attend and open to the public.

September 10, 2019

"Discoveries about Mercury and Birds in the South River Flood Plain" presented by Dr. Dan Cristol, Chancellor Professor of Biology at The College of William & Mary (The Historic Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, Virginia)

September 10, 2019

VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Interested in helping VMNH scientists maintain their collections? How about leading school students on tours of the museum exhibits? Want to help the museum host one of its major events? The museum volunteer program offers a wealth of opportunities for anyone who wants to be a part of the museum team! Come by the museum on Monday, September 23 at 5:30 to learn all about the different opportunities available to you...oh, and refreshments will be served!

September 9, 2019

JOB OPPORTUNITY: ASSISTANT CURATOR OF ARCHAEOLOGY The Virginia Museum of Natural History seeks a dynamic individual to conduct integrative, field and collections based research in archaeology, with a strong focus on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The successful candidate will be expected to obtain external funding to support their research efforts. Area of specialization is open, but an active interest in extant museum collections in zooarchaeology is a plus. Learn more at www.vmnh.net/careers!

September 9, 2019

TOMORROW IN WAYNESBORO! The new season of Wayne Theatre Science Talks begins Tuesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. at the historic Wayne Theatre, when Dr. Dan Cristol, Chancellor Professor of Biology at The College of William and Mary, presents "Discoveries about Mercury and Birds in the South River Floodplain". During the presentation, Dr. Cristol will summarize a decade's worth of research into how the mercury contamination of the South River and Shenandoah River watershed have affected the birds of the Shenandoah Valley. Admission is "pay what you will". We hope to see you there!

September 5, 2019

Ben Williams, science administrator, is in the How Nature Works gallery conducting a bit of photo reconnoissance for a potential visitor experience project!

September 5, 2019

New displays and major updates are in store for the Fossil Overlook gallery!

September 4, 2019

The 2019-20 season of Homeschool Science and Engineering Academy kicked-off today at the museum! Engineering was the theme of the day, as the 6-8 year old class built bridges, the 9-11 year old class built water slides, and the 12+ class engineered shipping containers! Are you a homeschool teacher looking for an exciting hands-on learning experience for your student(s)? Be sure to learn more about the museum's homeschool offerings at www.vmnh.net/homeschool-education!

September 4, 2019

While you're at Dragon Festival 2019 on Saturday, October 19, be sure to meet USA Today Bestselling Young Adult Author, Liz Long! Long is the author of the young adult dystopian series, THE BRIGHTON DUOLOGY, the young adult superhero trilogy, HEROES OF ARCANIA, as well as THE DONOVAN CIRCUS SERIES and two standalones, WITCH HEARTS and A REAPER MADE. To learn more about Liz, be sure to visit her website at lizclong.com!