Board hears updates on Douglas Avenue storage, traveling exhibit repairs and education programs
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Summary
Staff reported that the Douglas Avenue building is being restored with state support and may provide temporary or longer-term collections storage; the museum’s travelling exhibit trailer needs structural work with a contractor targeting a May return, and education programs including homeschool sessions and VA250 activities are expanding.
Board members on Nov. 15 received operational updates covering collections storage, the traveling exhibit trailer and a busy education calendar.
Research and Collections (S4) said the Douglas Avenue building — the museum’s original natural history site — has seen dramatic improvement under state commitment and is being considered for temporary collections restoration storage and possibly longer‑term collections use. "We're in desperate need of space here," Research & Collections (S4) said, urging trustees to visit Douglas Avenue and consider how to support its reuse.
Staff (S7) provided a condition update on the museum’s traveling exhibit trailer, reporting structural wear and tear found during contractor review and describing plans to recreate interior elements and wrap the trailer; the contractor gave a conservative timeline that staff said should make the trailer available in time for May outreach events such as Riverfest.
Education staff reported rising enrollment in homeschool science programs (morning and afternoon sessions with waiting lists) and positive early activity tied to VA250 programming and partner outreach. Membership and visitation figures were described as growing, and staff reported small matched grants and donations supporting publication and exhibit projects.
No formal decisions were taken; staff were asked to return more detailed budgets and timelines as the Douglas Avenue restoration and trailer refurbishment progress.