Science Museum of Virginia Strategic Plan

Since its founding by the Virginia General Assembly in 1970, the Science Museum of Virginia has become the premier center for hands-on science education in Virginia.

Permanent exhibitions include interactive exhibits on a wide range of science topics. The Ethyl Corporation IMAX®DOME creates the ultimate “you are there” experience.

Additional museum programs include visiting exhibitions, weekly educational programming, overnight adventures, lectures, demonstrations, dramatic presentations, summer camps and outreach programs.

Guest Accessibility

All exhibit areas, theaters, classrooms, labs, shop and café, restrooms and offices are barrier-free.

The Wonderplace Lab has narrow passageways and steps that cannot be altered due to their historic nature.

Ample convenient handicapped parking is available.

We also have a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come basis.

Please contact Guest Services for more information.

April 21, 1916
The RF&P and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad announce that a new station will be built on a 50-acre tract on Broad Street. Plans feature an innovative rail yard and track system.

Jan. 6, 1917
Ground is broken for the new station.

April 22, 1943
During World War II, a record 33,324 passengers arrive, depart or pass through Broad Street Station. Download old aerial view of Broad Stree Station.

1953
After it is struck by lightning, the station's terra-cotta dome is replaced with sheet copper.

May 1, 1971
RF&P's passenger rail service ends. Amtrak takes over passenger train service to Richmond and throughout much of the country. Broad Street Station is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Nov. 15, 1975
Amtrak moves all passenger train operations to a new station on Staples Mill Road. The last passenger train departs Broad Street Station at 4:58 a.m.

1976
RF&P sells Broad Street Station to the state of Virginia.

Jan. 6, 1977
Gov. Mills E. Godwin unveils the Science Museum of Virginia's first permanent exhibit gallery, the Discovery Room.

April 22, 1983
Completion of the Ethyl IMAX®DOME & Planetarium.

1995
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources erects a marker to commemorate the station's place in the history of the commonwealth.

October 2000
Completion of extensive exterior renovations, new interior spaces and a new exhibition.

January 2003
Mary Morton Parsons Earth-Moon Sculpture “the Kugels” dedicated. Features the Guinness World Record-holding 29-ton solid granite globe of the Earth.

September 2005
Forty new interactive exhibits were opened. Also unveiled were multipurpose galleries devoted to the history of Broad Street Station and Virginia's prehistoric past.

Download aerial view of Broad Street Station from 1925.
Download overhead view of Broad Street Station from the early 1920's.
Download overhead view of Broad Street Station from 1920.

Primary source: Griffin William Jr. "One Hundred Fifty Years of History Along the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad," 1984.