Lynchburg Museum gets accolades for renovation

By Alicia Petska

Published: October 10, 2008

The Lynchburg Museum is scooping up accolades for the extensive renovation and redesign it debuted early this year.

Since its grand re-opening in February, the museum has earned a divergent set of awards recognizing its architectural merit, its status as a downtown draw, and its chops as a historical gallery.

“We’re really excited about this,” said Lynn Dodge, director of the city’s libraries department, which oversees the museum system. “It’s well-deserved. … This project brought together a wonderful combination of skills, and will serve our city for a long time to come.”

The museum has received the “Excellence in Preservation” award from the Blue Ridge chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It also received an “Excellence in Building Development and Improvement” honor from the Virginia Downtown Development Association.

Its most recent title comes from the Southeastern Museums Conference, which issued the Lynchburg staff an award for excellence for its redesigned exhibits.

“This is great validation,” said museum director Doug Harvey, giving credit to the restoration team, the museum staff and volunteers, and the city, which footed the bill for the overhaul.

“It was a huge group of people involved,” he said.

The Lynchburg Museum was shut down in 2000 following the collapse of its ceiling. The circa-1855 building underwent a $2 million renovation, as well as a complete redesign of its exhibits, before reopening.

Participating companies included CJMW Architects, C.L. Lewis Company, Masters Engineering, Thayer Design, Studio Displays and Webb Graphics.

Harvey also gave a heaping helping of credit to his predecessor, Tom Ledford, who led the museum through most of the years-long reconstruction effort.

“This has really brought that building back to life,” Dodge said of the overhaul. “I think people have been really astounded by how good it looks.”

Located on Court Street at the top of Monument Terrace, the Lynchburg Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Regular admission is $6 for adults, with discounts for children, seniors and students.

Day at the Point
Day at the Point, an annual fall celebration at Point of Honor, starts today at 10 a.m. Events include games, music, tours, and exhibits from historical interpreters.

A parade is scheduled for 10 a.m., and walking tours of the historic Daniel’s Hill neighborhood will begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pony rides will be offered, and animals from the Nature Zone will be on hand.

Admission to Day at the Point is free. Festivities end at 3 p.m.