How far along is the planned Waynesboro Campus of the Virginia Museum of Natural History?

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01-08-2025

WAYNESBORO – The planned Waynesboro Campus of the Virginia Museum of Natural History is an upcoming project looking to bring science education to the thousands of students in driving range of Waynesboro.
Joe Keiper, executive director at Virginia Museum of Natural History, spoke to Waynesboro City Council on July 28, outlining how far along the local museum project has come.
'Sort of like a giant benign amoeba moving across the landscape, we are attempting to fold the Shenandoah Valley into our operation to bring the righteousness of science education to the area,' said Keiper.
Waynesboro Economic Development and Tourism Director Gregory Hitchin introduced the project.
'It's a 28,000 square foot, two story museum,' said Hitchin. 'The last estimate was a $4.2 million economic impact to the area. We would expect a conservative estimate of 65,000 visitors to the museum on an annual basis. Right now, it is a $36 million project to be located downtown.'
The museum project began with the Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc., a Main Street organization, looking for projects to build up the South River as 'an asset for the community.' The Center for Coldwaters Restoration grew out of the downtown organization and wanted to create a center to highlight the South River. The Virginia Museum of Natural History has a state code specified directive to share its exhibit collections throughout Virginia. Someone serving on both the museum foundation board and the Coldwater restoration board connected the two missions together in 2011, the beginning of the Waynesboro museum project.
Since the project began there has been fundraising, multiple economic impact studies, feasibility studies, and continuing work on the potential museum. This includes the Virginia Museum of Natural History's Mobile Science Outreach trailer, which often sets up in Waynesboro with exhibits. Currently, the project is wrapping up the detailed design process and working with architects at Glavé & Holmes Architecture on the building.
'The detailed design process is where we really begin to hone in on these specific details of our exhibit experience and what's going to draw people into our area,' said Keiper. 'We feel really good about that. We also have a building design.'
Keiper hopes the project is included in Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget in December. If it receives funding, construction would take about two years. Keiper anticipates admissions, facility rentals, and other business opportunities would primarily fund operations.
'We have an entire business plan that allows us to demonstrate or propose sustainability,' Keiper said. 'In other words, we're not just going to be relying on a state appropriation, but we have a mechanism to move forward to pay the bills.'
According to Hitchin, there are 63,000 K-12 students within an hour driving distance to Waynesboro.
'Why should the Commonwealth [not] have the science education experience for people within one hour's drive for every citizen?' said Keiper. 'The Waynesboro campus would be our first toehold beyond Southside Virginia, so we're really excited about that.'
'It's an opportunity to share STEM education, sciences, and opportunities for them for future growth in one location, as well as give them a history of the area that they live in,' said Hitchin. 'We'll have laboratories for staff, as well as for higher education to come in and do scientific research. They'll also have early childhood presence, an opportunity for the little ones to learn about science and activities and another way to pique their interest into science, and we'll have community space for the city of Waynesboro.'
The visitors mean more tourism dollars coming into Waynesboro. Hitchen also highlighted the effect it could have on 'derelict and blighted' buildings downtown.
'I've had more than one building owner say, when I see dirt move on the museum, I'll do something about my building,' Hitchin said.
Keiper and Hitchin both thanked the many people who have worked on the project since, and before, it began.
'This is a true collaboration between a number of different parties,' said Hitchin. 'Partnership, certainly, between the city and the museum, its board of directors, the city council, directors of departments within the city, board of trustees, foundation board, and staff at the museum. [There are] a number of volunteers, several of which are in a room tonight, further demonstrating their commitment to this project, and many of them have spent decades getting us where they are today.'
The Waynesboro councilmembers were glad to see the project continue to move forward.
'Since I've been on council, I've been to Richmond at least once each year to lobby with Senator Head and Delegate Campbell and with the other committees that have a hand in this,' said Coucilman Jim Wood. 'There have been ups and downs in it so this is nice for the city of Waynesboro, to see this moving forward.'
A donation link to the project can be found on the Virginia Museum of Natural History's Waynesboro Campus website page. Hitchen also had one more ask of those hoping to help the project.
'One of the questions that we get is how can I, as a citizen, do something to help? What you can do right now is send an email to your delegate or your senator, governor, or secretary of education. … The email does not need to be long. In fact, they prefer short emails. All you have to say is, I support the Waynesboro campus of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.'
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Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to [e-mail]. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: How far along is the planned Waynesboro Museum of Natural History?
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