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The new RVA Waterway table at the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s downtown location is part of a $10 million “Dream Big” renovation.
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With small fountains and a tower modeled after the Carillon in Byrd Park, the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s new water table commanded the attention of my 2-year-old. Nearby, my 4-year-old played dress-up in the Magic Meadow, while my 7-year-old gazed at butterfly wings under a giant microscope in the Nature Lab. Each gravitated toward these new exhibits at the downtown location that encourage imaginative play and creative problem-solving. It’s part of phase one of the museum’s $10 million “Dream Big” overhaul, the first time the nonprofit has undergone extensive updates since opening along Broad Street more than 25 years ago.
Opened in 1981 in the former Navy Hill School building downtown, the Children’s Museum was started by a group of community volunteers who saw a need for hands-on educational experiences for the city’s youngest learners. As the museum began outgrowing the original 8,000-square-foot location in the ’90s, staff came across the current building off Broad Street. A former state tax record office, the transformed 44,000-square-foot space opened its doors in 2000.
“We love it, but it was feeling worn and dated,” says Sarah Newman, the museum’s director of development and marketing.
Interactive learning concepts for ages 0 to 8, along with layout considerations, developmental stages of educational recreation and accessibility, all came into play as the museum collaborated with Columbus, Ohio-based exhibit design firm Roto. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Occupational Therapy provided insights for the new hands-on displays. Fundraising consulting company The Curtis Group crunched the numbers to see how much all of it would cost. And RMT Construction & Development Group and architecture firm Quinn Evans are handling the building modifications.
The design concept for the first phase, which opened in June, reflects native flora and fauna. “We wanted to pay homage to Richmond,” Newman says. The Nature Lab has interactive exhibits inspired by the local ecosystem. The Magic Meadow encourages imaginative play with elements including xylophones and costumes. There’s also a baby and toddler area called the Itty Bitty River City, featuring recognizable landmarks and a farm. The RVA Waterway table invites splashing and sensory activity.
This month features the debut of the Skybox Climber, with ramps, stairs, a suspension bridge, platforms and netting, allowing kids to climb 24 feet to a high window boasting views of the surrounding neighborhood.
The museum is gearing up for the second phase of improvements, which includes upgrades to the front desk and lobby, town square play area, theater, and splash pad. A new Celebrate Richmond zone is a tribute to Brown’s Island and the James River, with interactive components such as replica food trucks, a digital mural maker and a horizontal rock-climbing wall.
The Apple Tree, a favorite among visitors, is also getting an update with more ball play and a fresh narrative centered around an apple factory. The theater will be more engaging with lighting design, soundscapes, interchangeable backdrops and costumes.
When phase two kicks off in early 2027, the downtown location will remain partially open for visits and field trips, and the completed museum will make its debut in June that year. (The Chesterfield location will operate as usual.)
“We want to be state of the art and reflect the latest and greatest,” Newman says, “and we are so lucky to be part of such a rich scene of museums here in Richmond.”
