Press Releases
 

Virginia Living Museum wins national award for “Survivor: Jamestown” exhibition
Nov. 3, 2008 
 

The Virginia Living Museum’s “Survivor: Jamestown” exhibition has been awarded the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for Visitor Experience from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).

“Survivor: Jamestown,” which premiered at the Newport News museum in 2007, is an immersive maze exhibition set in 1607 Tidewater Virginia. Basic game theory, history, free will and the complexities of life and death decisions are joined to create a memorable and effective learning experience for role-playing visitors of all ages.

Museum Deputy Director Fred Farris was in charge of creating the exhibition in collaboration with Minotaur Mazes of Seattle, Wash. It was financed by a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The exhibition is currently touring North American museums.

“We are honored to be recognized for ‘Survivor Jamestown’ among so many outstanding institutions. The award is a testament to our staff's creativity and ability to make learning fun,” said Page Hayhurst, VLM executive director.

“The blending of science and history content into an engaging personal experience sets ‘Survivor: Jamestown’ apart from most national traveling exhibits,” said Farris. “As evidence of that unique blend of content, ‘Survivor: Jamestown's’ first venue (after the VLM) was a science museum in Colorado before traveling to a history museum in Kentucky.”

“This national award for excellence was the first ASTC award for the VLM. This recognition reinforces our museum's commitment to the visitor experience, which comes from a dedicated team of volunteers and staff,” Farris said.

The Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards are presented annually to ASTC members and/or their employees in recognition of extraordinary accomplishments that not only enhance the performance of their own institutions but also significantly advance the mission of science-technology centers and museums.

ASTC is an organization of more than 555 science centers and museums in 42 countries dedicated to furthering the understanding of science among increasingly diverse audiences. The VLM is the first of nine ASTC member museums in Virginia to receive a Leading Edge Award.

The Virginia Living Museum is a private non-profit museum that has been in operation since 1966. The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, I64, exit 258A.

For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit the web site at www.thevlm.org.

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