You’ve read all those articles about living “green” – maintaining your home in a manner that uses less energy, produces less waste, and is kinder to Mother Earth. Now don’t you wish you could go somewhere that actually shows you, up close and hands-on, how it can be done?

You can.

On June 20, 2009, the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News opened the Goodson House, a “Living Green House” environmental education center. In its exhibit house and yard, homeowners, architects and contractors can see all the latest techniques and products they can use to build and maintain an earth-friendly home, presented in a way that makes them visible and understandable to the general public.

The museum’s Green House is the first of its kind in Virginia and one of the first anywhere in the United States.

The 600-square-foot exhibit house includes these features:

• Recycled building materials, including salvaged lumber and wood-like siding made from recycled paper.
  
• Alternatives to PVC piping and to treated lumber for decking.
  
• Roofs covered with living plants, which both insulate and reduce water runoff, that can be installed on homes, garages, sheds, porches or businesses.
  
• *Solar photovoltaic panels, a solar water heater, passive solar heating and radiant floor heating, daylighting and natural ventilation.
  
• Alternative wall systems and alternative insulation systems.
  
• Collection of storm water in rain barrels and cisterns.
  
• Geothermal heat pump and cooling unit.
  
• A computer kiosk where visitors can calculate their own carbon footprint.

The house is named the Goodson House in honor of the contributions made to the museum by long-time supporter George Goodson, his family and their company, Warwick Plumbing and Heating Corp.

Architect was Watershed of Richmond. Builder was Calvin S. Collins Contractor, Inc., Newport News.

The 3,000-square-foot “Conservation Garden” features earth-friendly gardening techniques: the use of native plants, mulching and composting to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It shows how proper landscaping methods can reduce storm water runoff that pollutes local waterways, while proving food, water and shelter for wildlife.

The $315,000 project is partially funded by a $150,000 matching grant from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The garden portion of the project is also being supported through a donation from the local Huntington Garden Club.

Additional donations provided by:

LetsGoGreen.biz features a great selection of “green” products for every home, office or business. From water conservation products to energy-saving CFL light bulbs, biodegradable plates, cups and utensils, BPA-free water bottles, natural cleaning products, recycled paper goods and more, you’ll feel great knowing your purchase helps save energy and reduces your carbon footprint while helping to support the Virginia Living Museum. Order today and 25% of your purchase will go to the VLM at checkout.

For more information, click here.