Welcome to the Virginia Living Museum
Virginia’s Animal Attraction & Dino Destination
The Virginia Living Museum is a successful public-private partnership, since 1966, between the City of Newport News and the Virginia Living Museum, a public non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (54-6055922). Together we connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation.
BUILT by the Community, BELOVED by the Community and SUSTAINED by the Community, the Museum depends on private donations to succeed. We appreciate your financial contribution to support engaging education, animal welfare and conservation experiences for you and your family. Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund or a planned gift to our Endowment for future sustainability.
What You’ll See
Animals in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. We provide a sanctuary for orphaned, non-releasable or injured animals.
Plants in Action
The Virginia Living Museum has one of the largest displays of native plants in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Geology in Action
The Virginia Living Museum’s Underground Gallery is a journey back through Virginia’s ancient past, a past that has created a rich and colorful present.
Planetarium in Action
Travel the universe in the digital state-of-the-art Abbitt Planetarium Theater. The 71-seat planetarium theater, renovated and upgraded in 2008, offers a fully digital simulation of the sky.
Conservation in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is a certified Virginia Green attraction committed to minimizing its environmental impacts by preventing pollution wherever feasible in its operations.
Happening Today
Animal Feedings
Museum Public Events
Happening Now on Social Media
Leading up to Endangered Species Day on May 18th, we're featuring some of the endangered native species that the VLM has in its collection. First up: Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).
Imagine this: a fish with a vacuum-like mouth cruising through the waters, slurping up clams, mussels, and tiny fish like it's no big deal. Plus, they've been around since the Jurassic period, outlasting even the dinosaurs!
But these ancient giants of our rivers and oceans are facing a crisis. Once thriving across the Northern Hemisphere, sturgeons have been decimated by pollution, overexploitation, and habitat destruction. Back in 1967, sturgeons were granted federal protection due to their dwindling numbers caused by pollution and overexploitation.
Join us on May 18th for a day packed with fun-filled activities as we dive deep into the world of endangered species! From keeper talks to science shows, ambassador animal meet-and-greets to scavenger hunts, there's something for everyone!
Come explore how you can make a difference in the conservation of species like the Shortnose sturgeon, native to Virginia's waters.
It's the second Saturday of the month, and that means Stargazing at the Virginia Living Museum! Come join us tonight - if the skies are clear, we'll be checking out the slim crescent Moon. It's sitting in the bright wintertime constellation of Gemini the Twins, which is also home to the brilliant star cluster M35. Here's hoping we get to see them tonight! Stargazing is FREE and open to all. We'll also have FREE activities about the dangers of spaceflight in our planetarium lobby, plus a variety of planetarium and laser shows for a fee. Check out the shows at www.thevlm.org #VASkies #valivingmuseum