A New Education Center

In 1902, the Valentine Museum’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to provide free educational programming to the schools of the Richmond region. Central to the work of the History Center, these programs have changed to meet the evolving needs of our teachers. Over the last few years we have expanded these services to provide SOL-based programming in the classroom in addition to the traditional visit to the History Center’s campus. During our renovations, we are building on this outreach.

 

In 1902, the Valentine Museum’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to provide free educational programming to the schools of the Richmond region. Central to the work of the History Center, these programs have changed to meet the evolving needs of our teachers. Over the last few years we have expanded these services to provide SOL-based programming in the classroom in addition to the traditional visit to the History Center’s campus. During our renovations, we are building on this outreach.

While there may not be any field trips to the History Center this school year, it looks like we will actually provide more programs to more students than we ever have before. Over 30% more students will be reached in December than we served on-site and with outreach last December. While excited about returning to the new Sara D. November Education Center in the fall, our amazing education team is making sure we continue our commitment to engagement with the public schools.

The changes in the old activity center certainly reflect changing technology! For instance, the old darkroom for photograph processing (who even knows what a negative is?) will soon become support space for the November Education Center. We are all excited to see what the next generation of educators will do to connect future Richmonders to their past in this new space.

Curious about the renovation? Please join us for a Hard Hat Happy Hour and see Clay Street like no one has ever seen it on Wednesdays from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. You can RSVP online to schedule a time to stop 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.

Education Renovations

Renovation progress of the Activity Center and Darkroom

Education Rendering

Rendering of the Sara D. November Education Center

 

-Bill Martin, Director

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