Dear VLM Friend, Come out of hibernation with us!

January Update

Come out of Hibernation with us this weekend!

January 13-15

Whether you're a lifelong wildlife enthusiast or just looking for a unique family outing, the Virginia Living Museum is the place to be during the long holiday weekend.

Join us for a series of exciting activities, including feedings, live animal encounters, and captivating science programs. All these activities are included with your admission, making it the perfect family-friendly destination.

Plan Your Visit

Stargazing and Laser Night

January 13, 5:00 pm

Join us for the first stargazing event of 2024! The Virginia Living Museum offers free stargazing beginning at sunset on the second Saturday of every month (weather dependent). Telescopes are set up at the Museum, and staff astronomers are available to help you identify objects in the night sky.

Then, head into the Abbitt Planetarium for a program and laser show! (Shows are $5 for Museum members, $8 for non-members.)

Purchase Tickets

TreeHouses:

Look Who's Living in the Trees

Opens January 27, 11:00 am

Member preview: 9:00-11:00 am

Explore the forest canopy—indoors! At the Museum's newest hands-on exhibition, visitors roam from tree to tree as they discover the many habitats that trees provide for animals large and small. Climb through large treehouses, become an animal tracker, get face-to-face with wildlife of all sizes, move your feet on the forest-sound dance floor, and more! This exhibition makes learning fun as you explore responsible forestation and wildlife ecology. Included with Museum admission.

Naturally Speaking Lecture Series Kicks Off Feb. 15

Thursday, Feb. 15, 6:30 pm

"She Sieves Sea Shells from the Sea Floor: Plankton Fossils Reveal Oceanic Evolution and Dispersal Processes" with Dr. Adriane Lam

Over the past 23 million years, there was a surge in the variety of tiny sea organisms called planktic foraminifera. Scientists studied these organisms’ movements worldwide using data from past ocean expeditions. They found these creatures traveled extensively across oceans, influencing their evolution and distribution. These findings enhance our understanding of ancient climates and the reliability of foraminifera fossils in dating rocks despite variations in when species first appeared or disappeared.

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the factors influencing plankton evolution and their impact on Earth's history! Doors open at 6:00 pm.

Naturally Speaking is a free lecture series presented at the Virginia Living Museum from February through June 2024.

Learn More