The Truth

Now for the truth…

If you had asked me last week if we were going to be ready then I would have said that we were not going to make it. I do tend to be a “the glass is half empty” type of person.

Last Monday, as the first invitations to opening week activities were being mailed, I drove up Clay Street through the construction fences and the bustle of contractors and considered how we were going to get people into the building for Richmond History Makers and for the Grand Re-Opening events.

Clay no fence

I worried whether we would be ready for our first school program in the new Sara D. November Education Center. Our first school group comes next week!

November Center

I wondered if our amazing new multi-purpose room would be available to host its first bride which was yesterday! (They were a very brave couple that booked their wedding over a year ago as the renovations began.)

Multipurpose Room

We had a lobby without a desk to greet our visitors and no display cases for our new merchandise in the Valentine Store.

New Lobby

I even doubted that we could have the exhibition cases installed for the new exhibition This is Richmond, Virginia funded by Altria Group.

Exhibition Space Exhibition Cases

What a difference a week can make!
The glass is full thanks to magic from our friends at Kjellstrom+Lee and our remarkable staff!

Martin Sig

Bill Martin, Director
The Valentine
P.S. Join today and be part of the grand opening week celebrations (Oct 20-24). A donation of $250+ secures your spot at the special Wednesday night Grand Reopening Celebration.

   

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