VMNH highlights strategic-plan research, new exhibits and internship funded by memorial gift
May 16, 2026 | Virginia Museum of Natural History, Executive Agencies, Executive, Virginia
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During the executive committee meeting, the executive director summarized several strategic-plan research and collections projects that will inform future exhibits and public storytelling. He highlighted Dr. Jackson Means' new genetic techniques for identifying cryptic cave-dwelling millipedes and a near-complete provenance study on a mastodon led by Dr. Nol Boaz and Adam Pritchard, which the museum hopes to compare with material held at Monticello.
"We think now it is the same mastodon, just different pieces as the one that's on display at Monticello," Joe said, noting staff hope to compare teeth and a jawbone to confirm the match.
Collections staff are also advancing a 3D-scanning project of a reptile specimen from the Solite Quarry collection. Joe described plans to extract and print individual bones so researchers and the public can study and view them in three dimensions rather than a flattened specimen.
The board approved using the Pete Henkah memorial fund to support one undergraduate intern to work in collections over the summer; staff said the internship will assist with scanning and exhibit-preparation tasks. Jonathan and others described improved on-the-ground programming: Riverfest drew roughly 750 people through the museum's trailer, and the museum has several upcoming public events, including Dinosaur Festival (July 24–25), a waterways exhibit opening Aug. 27, and Bones and Boos on Oct. 24.
The committee also discussed facility work at the Douglas Avenue site, noting asbestos abatement and HVAC replacement can begin soon pending contractor timing, and agreed to include a walk-through of the former library/new exhibit spaces at the full board meeting so trustees can visualize the planned Young Explorer Center.
The committee closed by thanking staff and volunteers for programming and said staff will circulate supporting technical documents and timelines so trustees can track progress and provide input.
"We think now it is the same mastodon, just different pieces as the one that's on display at Monticello," Joe said, noting staff hope to compare teeth and a jawbone to confirm the match.
Collections staff are also advancing a 3D-scanning project of a reptile specimen from the Solite Quarry collection. Joe described plans to extract and print individual bones so researchers and the public can study and view them in three dimensions rather than a flattened specimen.
The board approved using the Pete Henkah memorial fund to support one undergraduate intern to work in collections over the summer; staff said the internship will assist with scanning and exhibit-preparation tasks. Jonathan and others described improved on-the-ground programming: Riverfest drew roughly 750 people through the museum's trailer, and the museum has several upcoming public events, including Dinosaur Festival (July 24–25), a waterways exhibit opening Aug. 27, and Bones and Boos on Oct. 24.
The committee also discussed facility work at the Douglas Avenue site, noting asbestos abatement and HVAC replacement can begin soon pending contractor timing, and agreed to include a walk-through of the former library/new exhibit spaces at the full board meeting so trustees can visualize the planned Young Explorer Center.
The committee closed by thanking staff and volunteers for programming and said staff will circulate supporting technical documents and timelines so trustees can track progress and provide input.
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