Working in a Renovation Zone

The structural work of the renovations is nearing completion.

New steel I-beams have replaced the temporary supports in the Stettinius Community Galleries.

 

Imagine sitting at your desk and feeling the vibration of jackhammers below. Significant demolition of walls in our basement and main levels has been occurring just a few feet below curatorial areas. Given the magnitude of this work, we have experienced very little disruption in the regular work of our staff and few signs of the physical changes being made being made below (other than the occasional sound of a jackhammer).

I am pleased to report that the structural work is nearing completion.  Steel I-beams now support places where walls used to be.  The openness of the costume and textile galleries and community galleries is now fully evident.

While the walls may need steel for support, equally important is the support of our amazing curatorial team at the Valentine.

Dusting Staircase

Janet Lundy, Museum Technician, dusts the Wickham House staircase.

 

Are you curious about our progress? Join us for one of our Hard Hat Happy Hours that occur every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. You can contact me for more information or RSVP online and let me know you’ll be coming by.

If you would like to help keep us calm and hammering on, you can support the History Center on our secure donation page at  /give.

-Bill Martin, Director

 

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Power to the People

The renovations include complete replacement of the electrical system.

 

In addition to the replacement of our heating and air conditioning, the renovations include the complete replacement of the electrical system.

In all of the work that we are doing, the biggest challenge is trying to create spaces that will not only support our current plans but will also provide flexibility for future generations of curators and educators.

We hope that the new wires being pulled throughout the building will provide the necessary energy for the future. We cannot anticipate all of the future technology changes that we will need to make to remain relevant.

Who would have imagined 30 (or even 10) years ago the role that the internet plays in our lives today?

The one thing that we do know is the real source of our power.  No matter what technology, what energy source…the real source of our power is the stories of the city contained in the 1.6 million objects that we hold for Richmond’s next generation.

Are you curious about our progress? Join us for one of our Hard Hat Happy Hours that occur every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. You can contact me for more information or RSVP online and let me know you’ll be coming by.

If you would like to help keep us calm and hammering on, you can support the History Center on our secure donation page at  /give.

-Bill Martin, Director

 

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