Press Release
February 10, 2021
Tracy Schneider, VP Marketing & Communications tschneidher@VirginiaHistory.org 804.342.9661
Richmond, VA –Following the announcement of its most extensive capital improvement plans in the museum’s nearly two-century history, The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) announced today the public launch of its History Matters Campaign –The Story of Virginia for All Virginians, a comprehensive fundraising effort designed to support the museum’s dramatic reimagination and prepare it for a vibrant and sustainable future.
“We believe in the unmatched role history and culture play in creating a strong, healthy, and inspired society. History matters,” commented VMHC President & CEO Jamie Bosket. “Through the generosity of many as part of this ambitious fundraising campaign, we stand ready to create an entirely new and compelling museum experience that allows us to be the history museum Virginia needs and Virginians deserve.”
“This is an important opportunity for the VMHC. An opportunity to do more in service to our community and our Commonwealth. We must be more engaging, inclusive, and inspiring to encourage and empower the history makers of both today and tomorrow,” said VMHC Board of Trustees Chair Pamela Kiecker Royall. “With broad, statewide support for our planned enhancements, we will prepare this organization for far-reaching service.”
With a $5 million anonymous lead gift and nearly $25 million in other major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations across the Commonwealth and beyond, the VMHC launches the public phase of its fundraising campaign as it works to reach its overall goal of $35 million. With more than 85% of its ambitious goal already committed, the VMHC hopes to complete its fundraising efforts by early 2022 when the museum’s grand re-opening is slated.
The VMHC has worked closely with many of its long-term supporters, including its Board of Trustees –all of whom have made a personal commitment to the campaign. Now, the museum plans to engage and collaborate with its members and broader community across the Commonwealth to complete its work.
“We will need everyone’s help to reach our goal and fulfill the dreams we have for this storied institution,” Bosket noted. “The VMHC is among a very small handful of state history museums in the nation that don’t receive regular state support. It is through private generosity that we serve Virginians.”
Through this$35 million capital campaign, the VMHC will reinvent the museum as it approaches its 200th anniversary and prepares to play a major role in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the funds raised will be invested in strategic renovations and enhancements to the campus, with a focus on promoting learning and enjoyment through a best-in-class guest experience–one that is more welcoming and reflective of all Virginians. The remaining funds raised will be dedicated to the future wellbeing and growth of the museum through programmatic endowment and strategic funds. This capstone campaign and improvement plan–the culmination of the good work done over the past two decades –will be the realization of the VMHC’s aspiration to serve Virginians and its greater audience more meaningfully.
Work on this campaign began in late 2019 and has been shaped by the ongoing global health and financial crisis. In early 2020, assuming the extended hardship ahead, the museum’s Board of Trustees made the purposeful decision to expedite its capital improvement plans by more than a year and thoughtfully continue with fundraising. Both the board and leadership team were motivated to move faster than originally planned in order to invest in the community during a time of extraordinary need. The planned disruption of construction was scheduled to overlap with the unplanned disruption of COVID with the goal of readying the museum to re-emerge from troubled times in a position of great strength.
“We are so thankful that our supporters appreciated and understood the opportunity at hand to make the most of these difficult times, to sustain the VMHC in the present, invest in our community, and position the VMHC for vibrancy and renewal when we are able to escape the grip of COVID-19,” said Bosket. “Moving forward with purpose has allowed us to be among the very few museums nationwide that has avoided any drastic COVID-related measures like staff cuts or furloughs. And, importantly, we will be set to do big things when we are all able to safely gather together again.”
The VMHC began its renovation and expansion project in October 2020. After approximately 18 months of construction, the museum will have significantly more space for long-term and changing exhibitions, a new immersive orientation theater, a new interactive learning space for families, a new research library with a state-of-the-art rare book and manuscript suite, and a new education and conference center. Additional guest services will include a new café, museum store, and multiple new and renewed community and event spaces, including a new great hall, a second-floor event terrace, an outdoor event lawn, an expanded parking lot, and an improved VMFA campus connector.
Leading its fundraising effort is a campaign cabinet of volunteers, including cabinet co-chairs: Austin Brockenbrough III, Aggie & Richard Cullen, and Pamela Kiecker Royall, along with cabinet members Charles L. Cabell, Peter F. Farrell, William H. Fralin Jr., Susan S. Goode, John R. Nelson Jr., and Thomas G Slater Jr.
To learn more about the History Matters Campaign, to see renderings of the reimagined VMHC, and to join in supporting the project, go to VirginiaHistory.org/OurFuture.
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The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society —a private, non-profit organization established in 1831. The historical society is the oldest cultural organization in Virginia, and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the nation. For use in its state history museum and its renowned research library, the historical society cares for a collection of nearly nine million items representing the ever-evolving story of Virginia.
For more information call 804.340.1800, visit VirginiaHistory.org,or connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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