THIS SUMMER I had the good fortune of interning at the Virginia Museum of Natural History through the University's Institute for Public History. My second day at the museum I learned that the small facility was in danger of closing. Imagine walking into a job and realizing that what you will be working on all summer may not be used at its intended location, if at all. Imagine having to tell young children that their visits to the museum this summer may be their last.
That time has come. As The Cavalier Daily reported on Thursday, Oct. 22, the University has decided to close the branch. I realize that nothing can be done to save the museum, but I would appreciate the opportunity to speak about why losing the Virginia Museum of Natural History is truly a tragedy and a severe detriment to the Charlottesville community.
I visited the museum once before beginning my internship there. I was involved in the Madison House Big Sibling Program and wanted to introduce my eight-year-old little brother, Tytavius, to something new and educational. In fact, my trip to the VMNH with Ty is probably one more visit than the majority of University students have made to the facility.
Unfortunately, many students don't realize the museum even exists, and if they do, most have certainly never visited. I often explain to friends that the little building tucked away behind the gas station and across from the Cavalier Inn is indeed a museum and that yes, I spent 10 weeks working there.
I suppose it's not surprising that many U.Va. students aren't familiar with VMNH -- after all, 20-year-old fraternity boys in pink collar-flipped polos may not find a predator-prey matching game or mystery surprise box filled with snake skin and fox tails very entertaining. The Museum caters to a younger audience -- preschool and elementary school-aged children. In a community overflowing with resources for the academics and University pupils, it is truly refreshing to have an organization so dedicated to opening the eyes of a much younger generation. The exhibits are simple, but the manner in which they are presented is phenomenal. Children are intrigued by the specimens on display, and they are truly learning as they handle different puppets or make rubbings of animal tracks. Many kids are entertained for extraordinary lengths of time by the watershed exhibit, which simply entails dropping a water droplet (a marble) into a kitchen sink and watching it trickle down into the Rivanna River. Subtly woven into the displays are many Virginia Standards of Learning to which visitors, tour groups, scout troops, and preschoolers are exposed. Learning kits and educational programs are available to outside groups, including local schools, disadvantaged children, senior citizens and individuals with special needs. The ways that the museum has found to reach out to and educate the community are incredible.
Never having worked in a museum before this summer, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into. However, months later I can confidently say that this summer was one of the best experiences I have enjoyed as a college student. My position was unique in that I could reach out to the community not only through "museum work" (researching and creating exhibits), but also by actually teaching young children in mini-camps throughout the course of my time here. I was fortunate to work with a group of very talented women, each with her own manner of communicating material to young children. The museum is so small that I really got to interact with everyone that works there -- both paid educators and community volunteers. I came into contact with many people who are passionate about the museum's well being and its role in the community.
My favorite session of campers this summer was a group from Johnson Elementary. The class consisted of 12 mostly minority children from fairly low-income homes. It was amazing to work with a group of kids who don't get everything they want from their parents and whose education is not necessarily a priority in their homes. They truly appreciated everything we had to offer and were so interested and involved. They never hesitated to ask questions and say what was really on their minds. I felt like I was really making an impact when I taught these children.
The VMNH is an asset to this area; it is an institution the University should be eager to continue supporting and sharing with the community. U.Va. has made a substantial and devastating mistake in closing the museum. As its doors will not be open much longer, I encourage readers to stop by one day; stroll around the exhibit room; take note of the children and parents who are so absorbed in the displays. As you leave, take a peek at the guest book and glimpse all of the hundreds of people who have already visited and have left words of praise and admiration about the museum. I hope you will have a few kind words to leave as well, for after Dec. 31, you will never have the opportunity to leave them again.
Whitney Jackson Spivey is a fourth year in the College.
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