By: Scott Maylath
I stumbled upon the Virginia Living Museum about 6-7 years ago when I was looking to do a makeup Rotary meeting. I did my makeup meeting with the Warwick Rotary who meet in Virginia Living Museum cafeteria in Newport News, VA. It turns out that the Warwick Rotary helped fund and build the museum over 50 years ago.
(For more on the history of their partnership, visit https://thevlm.org/a-50-year-vision-warwick-rotary-and-the-virginia-living-museum/ )
While the museum itself was closed at the time of my visit, I decided that I would return with my family someday. That day finally came last fall during my son’s Fall Break from school.
Part aquarium, botanical garden, science museum, and wildlife preserve, the Virginia Living Museum exhibits more than 250 living species native to Virginia. One two-story habitat allows visitors to walk through an Appalachian Cove while another allows visitors to view life in a Cypress Swamp. There’s even a Chesapeake Bay Touch Tank to allow visitors an interactive experience.
Outside is a boardwalk where visitors can see native fauna like river otters, red wolves, and beavers while the Coastal Plain Aviary allows visitors to view coastal birds.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area, The Virginia Living Museum was the highlight of our trip.
If you would like to learn more about the Virginia Living Museum, you can find more information at https://thevlm.org/
