Science Museum of Virginia

 There's Magic to Do

     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.