The Virginia Museum of Natural History executive committee reviewed several facility and staffing matters, including completed and planned capital work, outreach equipment status, and completed search committee work for an exhibit manager.

Gina Adams Education Pavilion: Unidentified Director reported the pavilion is complete and already hosting programs. The committee said images and programming examples will be shared with the full board at the next meeting.

Douglas Avenue and other repairs: The director said the Douglas Avenue project will begin with asbestos removal and HVAC installation, followed by aesthetic repairs (flooring and drywall) in staged tranches. Estimates and timing depend on priorities; the board expects an initial tranche of work to be completed before submitting a progress report to the American Alliance of Museums.

Waynesboro project and state advocacy: Detailed design for the VMH Waynesboro project is complete and a request has been submitted to the governor’s office. The director said a strong letter-writing campaign and broad support were reported, but ultimate funding depends on the governor’s priorities in the upcoming budget.

Outreach trailer and maintenance reserves: The committee heard that the 20-year-old outreach trailer will not likely be mobile again and that it may be cheaper to purchase and retrofit a new trailer. The board has a $100,000 maintenance-reserve set-aside; repair estimates for the trailer were cited at about $55,000–$60,000.

Staffing and search committees: The committee confirmed the exhibit manager search is complete and that the new hire will start the week after the meeting; finalists for curator of herpetology are being interviewed with public talks and technical presentations planned for on-site candidates.

Next steps: With no quorum present the committee did not take formal votes; staff were directed to advance schematic and repair work, continue advocacy for Waynesboro funding, and provide detailed cost and phasing information at the full board meeting.