Richmond Cultural Institutions Share Joint Reopening Statement as COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2020

CONTACT:
Eric Steigleder
Communications Director
esteigleder@thevalentine.org

Richmond Cultural Institutions Share Joint Reopening Statement as COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted

RICHMOND, VA – Richmond area cultural institutions, including museums, attractions, and other sites, have released a joint statement as Virginia continues to lift additional COVID-19 restrictions.

The statement, endorsed by 21 cultural institutions in the area, reflects a set of shared values and provides staff, volunteers, and members of the public with a unified response during this challenging moment. Included is a list of shared protocols and safety measures to give visitors a clearer idea of what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

The joint statement reads:

“As our Commonwealth enters into Phase 2 and our city prepares to, we want to assure all attendees that we are committed to providing everyone with safe, secure, and supportive access to our facilities. In the midst of a pandemic and a region-wide reassessment of our fraught racial history, we believe our cultural resources play an important role during these uncertain times. While we anticipate most sites will open in some capacity by early July, we will continue to use these shared principles and the facts on the ground to ensure the best experience for our visitors.”

Signed,

Agecroft Hall and Gardens
The American Civil War Museum
The Black History Museum And Cultural Center of Virginia
The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design
The Children’s Museum of Richmond
Henricus Historical Park
The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
John Marshall House
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Library of Virginia
Maymont
The Poe Museum
Preservation Virginia
St. John’s Church Foundation
The Science Museum of Virginia
The Valentine
The Valentine First Freedom Center
The Virginia Holocaust Museum
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture
The Wilton House Museum

VISITORS & STAFF

  • Facemasks will be required of visitors, staff, and volunteers (as required by Executive Order), with exceptions for young children

  • Capacity will be reduced to provide guests space to socially distance. In some cases, pre-registration/timed tickets may be required

  • Contactless payment and use of credit/debit card for purchases will be strongly encouraged

  • Social distancing will be required, and may be encouraged with barriers, designated walk routes, and additional signage

  • Hand sanitizer and similar options will be available across institutions


PROGRAMS/EXPERIENCES

  • Programming will be temporarily suspended to reduce contact within large groups

  • Alterations or adaptations to hands-on exhibits and experiences will be made to reduce interactions with high-touch surfaces

CLEANING PROTOCOLS

  • Cleaning protocols will be expanded, especially in restrooms and high-touch areas\

  • Each site will clearly post their institution-specific guidelines and protocols on their websites, on social media, and onsite

    About the Valentine
    The Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s 400-year history for over a century. Located in the heart of historic downtown, the Valentine is a place for residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that tell the broader history of this important region

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