Virginia Museum of Natural History

21 Starling Avenue
Martinsville, VA 24112
Ph: 276-634-4141
Fax: 276-634-4199

About

The Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville, Virginia is a place where scientific research about the Commonwealth of Virginia's natural history and public understanding merge. Exhibits, education programs for all ages, and publications translate the Museum curators' scientific research into easily understood language and concepts.

The mission of the Virginia Museum of Natural History is: To interpret Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Museum was founded in 1984 as The Boaz Foundation, a private institution. Guided by a group of scholars and citizens from throughout the Commonwealth, The Boaz Foundation soon became the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Recognizing the need for public support, A. L. Philpott, then Speaker of the Virginia General Assembly, worked on behalf of the institution in an effort to secure state agency status in 1988. Since its founding, VMNH has experienced phenomenal growth, and has earned recognition as one of the nation's leading museums in its field. It is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a distinction earned by fewer than 10% of museums in the United States. The Museum's message is simple: Understanding natural history is the first step toward meeting the challenges of preserving and managing natural resources in the future. From the vacationer watching birds on the shores of the Chesapeake to the garden enthusiast in Alexandria, each and every Virginian directly benefits from the ongoing research and education programs at VMNH.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History is an agency of the Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia. A 25-member, gubernatorial appointed Board of Trustees acts as the Museum's governing body. It operates in association with the Virginia Museum of Natural History
Foundation, a not-profit 501(c)3 organization that receives and administers funds for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes. The Foundation Board of Directors currently consists of 15 members from various locations across the Commonwealth. VMNH is a member of the Southeastern Museums Conference and the Association of Science-Technology Centers, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a distinction earned by fewer than 10% of U.S. museums.

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