Waynesboro Campus

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Project Summary

The Virginia Museum of Natural History seeks to establish a natural science interpretation facility in Downtown Waynesboro near the South Entrance to the Shenandoah National Park.

A feasibility study was conducted which demonstrated that the Virginia Museum of Natural History could operate a 28,000 square foot facility while running a profit based on admission income, memberships, and an annual fundraising campaign run by the VMNH Foundation. In doing so, the museum projects to attract about 65,000 visitors, including approximately 40,000 tourists utilizing Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway located three miles away. This project will drive visitation to the Downtown where they will purchase goods and services. The proposed facility will not only be an educational asset, it will be an economic driver for a city that is currently reinventing itself.

Feasibility Study

Chmura Analytics estimated that in its first five years of operation, annual revenues will average $334,654. Expenses for the same period will average $250,026. Net operating income will be $84,628 per year.

Revenues are based on attendance of 65,582 per year drawn principally from residents in Augusta and surrounding counties, visitors to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and motorists traveling Interstates 64 and 81.

Download the Feasibility Study (2013).
Download the Economic Impact Study (August 2023).

VMNH Waynesboro Contributors

Thank you to the below donors who have contributed to the development of the future Virginia Museum of Natural History natural science interpretive facility in Downtown Waynesboro, Virginia since 2014.

$50,000 and above
William & Mary Jane Henika

$40,000 - $49,999
Waynesboro Economic Development

$20,000 - $29,999
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
William H. G. Stevenson, III

$10,000 - $19,999
Mona Land
Ann & Gary Peltier

$5,000 - $9,999
Mather’s Construction
Harold & Marilyn Nash
Westhills LTD, Realtors

$2,500 - $4,999
Dr. Thomas Benzing

$1,000 - $2,499
Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge
Bill and Kyle Hausrath
Mason & Anne Hulen
James C. Hyson
Rudolph Jobs
Jake & Deborah Kleinschuster
Carl A. Rosberg
James C. Wilson

$100 - $999
Hal Aaslestad
BG William W. Alexander, Jr. (VA)
American of Virginia, Inc.
Kimberly Arehart
Christine Baggerly
Katherine Beard
Blue Mountain, LLC
J. Thomas Brown, Jr.
Martin Buehler
Kay Burnett
Jasper Burns
The Centre for Shopping, LP
Jean B. Chandler, Inc.
Faye Cooper
Robin Crowder
George Curren
Dr. Sandra Curry
Jean Custin
Cynthia Davis
William Dent
Sara Doherty
Jean Droughman
Brian Edwards
DuBose Egleston, Jr.
J. B. Ferguson
James Gillespie
Lucille Gresham
Kenneth Hearst
Lawrence Hearst
Christopher Heck
Gregory E. Hitchin
Lesley K. Hock
Samuel H. & Melissa Hostetter
Sara S. Howlett
Doris Hammer Hulvey
P. Ann Kaupp
Stephen & Peggy King
Philip & Paula Klann
Kline’s Dairy Bar
Jenna Konizer
Vera & Gary Lichtenstein
John & Betty Lowdermilk
Randolph C. Mannesmith
Alvin Marks
Carolyn A. Morris
David & Mary Morris
Margaret Mullis
Carole Nash
Lori Patkin
Len & Mary Poulin
Dana Quillen
John & Judith Roller
John Ross
Rotary Club of Waynesboro
M. Kevin Ryan
Weldon & Phyllis Scrogham
Severs Construction, LLC
Douglas & Mary Shoemaker
R. Gene Smith
Teague Properties, LLC
Valley Group, Inc.
Wilson F. Vellines, Jr.
Michael & Anne Vest
D. Cabell Vest
Martha Wood

$1 - $99
Rebecca Allison
Anonymous
The ARTS Club
Roger Bryant
William & Dorothy Buchanan
Bettie H. Compton
June & Warren Elliott
David Geiger
Kathryn W. Johnson
Thomas Joyce
Tesi Lamb
Lisa London
Linda McEnery
Kathy & Jon Miller
Oryx Designs, Inc.
Maxine Rappold
Rose Cliff Garden Club
Clifton E. Scott
Donald C. Sharretts
Edward & Jacenta Tutwiler
Waynesboro Garden Club
Waynesboro Heritage Foundation