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Virginia Living Museum reopens renovated planetarium, names it for the Abbitt family
Nov. 20, 2008
NEWPORT NEWS -- The Virginia Living Museum Planetarium, completely modernized with a new, state-of-the-art digital projection system, will reopen to the public on Dec. 6 with “Star of Wonder: The Mystery of The Christmas Star,” an updated edition of its popular annual holiday show.
A dedication ceremony was held Nov. 20, celebrating the completion of the renovation process and renaming the planetarium for the Abbitt family of Newport News, long-time museum supporters.
The planetarium upgrade is part of a $5 million capital improvements project at the museum, which includes an outdoor amphitheater that was completed this fall, a Living Green environmental exhibit to open in 2009, and several other new features.
“With this new equipment, we can transport visitors to far-away galaxies in one program and to the microscopic world of atoms in the next. It will be a state-of-the-art experience for visitors and a great learning tool for our students,” said Page Hayhurst, museum executive director.
The planetarium now boasts a digital, computer-based Spitz sciDome projection system. Using the Starry Night Dome software created by Imaginova, a single fisheye lens places astronomical images across the entire surface of the planetarium’s ceiling dome.
This system can project a view of the skies from anywhere on Earth across a time period of 200,000 years, or as seen from any other known body in the universe.
The system also can project multiple screen images on the dome, or use the entire dome as a single video image, allowing the presentation of full-dome immersive movies on a wide range of topics in addition to astronomy shows.
An LED lighting system can produce sophisticated lighting effects with a broad range of colors, and a new SkyLase laser system can create custom images for all kinds of programming.
The planetarium’s 71-seat interior also has been refurbished, with new carpeting and new upholstery for the seats. New interactive astromony-related exhibits will be installed in the lobby by May, completing the $400,000 project.
The planetarium’s modernization was made possible by an anonymous gift.
The planetarium theater has been named to honor the Abbitt family of Newport News. The Abbitts have a long history of involvement with the museum, beginning with one of the museum’s founders Meredith “Monk” Abbitt, who served as president of its Board of Trustees. His son, Richard Abbitt, also served as a trustee and on the museum’s Board of Advisors. Richard’s widow, Carolyn, is currently on the Board of Advisors, and their children and grandchildren have been lifelong members and advocates.
Except for intermittent presentations, the planetarium had been closed since November 2006 while the museum explored the many options available for digital media. The planetarium had been in use for 40 years without any major equipment upgrades.
Its old projection system, which placed stars on the dome by shining light through holes drilled in a sphere, has been donated to a small private planetarium in Tennessee, where it will be used for college instruction.
The first public show at the planetarium, “Star of Wonder: The Mystery of The Christmas Star,” is a reworked, full-dome version of “Star of Wonder,” a holiday time attraction popular with families for four decades. The show investigates the scientific possibilities behind the Star of Bethlehem, which the Bible says led the Magi from the East to the birthplace of Jesus.
It will be presented Dec. 6 through 31, along with “Laser Holidays.” Days and times vary.
All of the goals of the capital campaign are part of the museum’s strategic plan adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2006.
Honorary campaign chairs are: Mrs. Hunter B. Andrews, Mrs. Herbert V. Kelly Sr., Michael Petters, U.S. Sen.-elect Mark Warner and Harry Wason.
Campaign co-chairs are Charlie and Mari Ann Banks. Members of the Leadership Committee are: Gordon Gentry, William M. Grace, John R. Lawson, Dr. John Q.A. Mattern II, Donald N. Patten, Conway H. Sheild III, James B. Thomas, Jr., Harry H. Wason, Joseph R. Witt and Charles W. Wornom. Wornom is chair of the Major Gifts Committee.
The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, I64, exit 258A.
The Virginia Living Museum is a private, not-for profit organization with a 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service. Museum financial information is available from the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, Virginia 23218.
First opened in 1966, the museum has undergone several major expansions, most recently a new 62,000-sq. ft. exhibits building and 3/4-mile boardwalk that opened in 2004.
For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit the web site at www.thevlm.org.
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