|
At the Science Museum of Virginia, touch,
observe and explore the impact of science on your life from astronomy to
computers, from flight to crystals and from illusions to electricity---all
within the grandeur of a renovated historic railroad station.
There are no "do not touch" signs here! More
than 250 interactive exhibits make the worlds of science and technology
entertaining as well as educational for all ages. The fun starts as you
walk through the parking lot past a solar-electric car and its charging station.
When you enter the museum, you will want to stop at the Foucault pendulum in the
grand rotunda and watch as it shows the earth's rotation.
As you walk through the museum, you learn to
identify stars and constellations in “Night Visions.” Tell your innermost
thoughts to Dr. Know, a computerized counselor in “Computer Works.”
Examine gem specimens from around the world in “Crystal World.” Climb
aboard a Piper Cub and dream of flying through the clouds while in “Aerospace.”
Play a quick game of laser pool or investigate the world of sound in “Science
Sense”. In “Electriworks” you can create sparks at the Van De Graaff
generator and compare wattage usage of major appliances. Pause to
telegraph a message to a friend while passing through “Telecommunications.”
Cause a head-on collision in “Force and Motion.”
Take time to watch one of the daily demonstrations.
Friendly volunteers and staff will draw you into the phenomena of air pressure,
electricity and illusions. You can also be part of the action through
large-screen films and multimedia planetarium shows in the museum's
Ethyl Universe Planetarium and Space Theater---Virginia's only OMNIMAX
theater. The five-story theater, with its tilted-dome, 76-foot screen and
108 speakers, provides sight and sound from every direction. You'll travel as
you never have done before---through space to explore distant planets and
stars.
The Science Museum of Virginia is housed in the
former Broad Street Station, which was designed by John Russell Pope. Pope
also designed the National Gallery, the National Archives Building and the
Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. The building is included in the
National Register of Historic Places.
Plan to spend 1 ½-2 hours exploring the exhibits,
and another hour each for the film and planetarium show. There are varied
admission prices for exhibits and theater depending on your choice and age.
Don't miss the museum store with its collection of science-and aeronautically
related toys, books, posters, jewelry and T-shirts.
The Science Museum's exhibit areas are open daily.
Winter hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Sunday NOON to
5:00 P.M. During the summer the museum stays open on Friday and Saturday
until 7:00 P.M. The Ethyl UNIVERSE is open Monday through Thursday 11:00
A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Friday and Saturday until 9:00 P.M. and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00
P.M.
The museum opened a satellite science center in
Danville and the Virginia Aviation Museum, a division of the Science
Museum, is located near the Richmond International Airport. This shrine to
the “golden age of aviation” enhances the Science Museum’s aerospace exhibits
with its extensive collection of historic flying machines, dioramas on World War
II, a special exhibit on Admiral Richard E. Byrd, early flight memorabilia,
navigational devices and the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.
As you take an hour’s walk through aviation history,
you’ll get a close look at a World War I Spad VII, see Captain Dick Merrill’s
1930s open cockpit mail plane and have the opportunity to view the
Stars and Stripes, one of three aircraft Commodore Byrd took with him on his
first expedition to Antarctica. Aeronautical buffs will enjoy an aviation
film in the comfortable Benn Theater as well as talking with the volunteers, who
are all aviation enthusiasts.
Throughout the year the Virginia Aviation Museum
hosts special events, such as Toss Across America in May, Flight Day in June and
a celebration of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in December. On the
third Thursday of every month, experts in the aeronautical field present free,
topical lectures. Call (540) 236-3620 for scheduling details.
Museum hours are daily 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Admission is charged. There is a museum store with toys, books, posters
and T-shirts.
Directions: From I-95 take Exit 78; the Science
Museum of Virginia is located at 2500 West Broad Street in Richmond. For
further information call (804) 367-1013 or (800) 659-1727 during museum hours or
(804) 367-0000 for a 24-hour recorded message. For the Virginia Aviation
Museum, take I-95/I-64 east to Exit 47A, the museum is at the Richmond
International Airport.
|
TRAVELERS TALKBACK
Win a a free copy of the new
Williamsburg One-Day Trip Book
with your picture and byline on
the cover! (Sixteen chapters in
this book cover one day vacations in
Richmond.)
If you've visited Richmond
recently, give us your honest
evaluation of your visit.
Click here for details and the
TRAVELERS TALKBACK form.
TRAVEL
WRITERS WANTED
FREE
trial lesson in new
"WRITING TO
PUBLISH WORKSHOP."
Send us
an
email for details. Publication
is guaranteed for those
accepted in program. Instructor is
former president of the Society of
American Travel Writers.
|