THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION The Official Transportation Museum of the Commonwealth of Virginia
T
he Virginia Museum of Transportation was initially the dream of Roanoke City Manager Arthur S. Owens. On April 2, 1962, Roanoke City Council approved a resolution to make that dream come true. The Roanoke Transportation Museum officially opened in the spring of 1963 at Wasena Park alongside the Roanoke River. In 1976 a not-for-profit 501(c3) corporation was formed to operate the Museum, and in 1983 it was designated the official Transportation Museum of the State of Virginian and became known as the Virginia Museum of Transportation. All was going well until the 100-year flood of 1985 destroyed the Museum and nearly all of its exhibits. Fortunately, the Museums prized J class #611 locomotive was not on location during the flood. The Museum Board pressed forward to re-establish the Museum, assisted by the Norfolk Southern Railway, which offered the Museum a fresh start in a portion of its former freight station located at 303 Norfolk Avenue in Roanoke. Norfolk Southern eventually donated the entire facility to the Museum, and it continues to operate at that location. Since the disastrous flood, the Museum has continued to improve and expand exhibits and educational opportunities, particularly for school-age children who often visit and large numbers. Today the Virginia Museum of Transportation proudly displays over 50 pieces of rolling rail stock in its outdoor pavilion and railyard, most of which are in some way related to the State of Virginia. Additionally, there is a newly renovated aviation gallery complete with dozens of exhibits and educational kiosks. The recently established automotive gallery will be of particular interest and enjoyment to attendees of the 34
Virginia Festival of The Wheel. The new gallery contains a changing exhibition of vehicles dating from the 1914 Ford Model T Touring to a 1996 General Motors EV-1 electric on loan from Virginia Tech. Other notable vehicles are the Museums 1920 Piedmont touring car manufactured in nearby Lynchburg and the 1956 Ford NASCAR convertible race car, driven by Virginia's very own racing legend Curtis Turner. The Virginia Museum of Transportation Board of Directors thanks you for supporting Virginia Festival of The Wheel and promoting our rich transportation heritage. We invite you to stop by and visit. —Tom Cox Board Member, Virginia Museum of Transportation The Virginia Museum of Transportation 303 Norfolk Ave, Roanoke 540-342-5670 • vmt.org Wednesday–Saturday 10am–5pm Sundays 1–5pm
Virginia Museum of Transportation UPCOMING EVENTS Car-B-Que Concert Series: Don’t miss the VMT Car-B-Que & Summer Concert Series featuring live music, open car show, 50/50 raffle, food and beverages.
September 17—Hoppie Vaughan & the Ministers of Soul! October 1—Jared Stout Band Veteran’s Appreciation Day: November 6–November 11 Free admission for active and retired Military. Nov. 6 10am–5pm, Nov. 7 1pm–5pm, Nov. 11 10am–5pm
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF THE WHEEL 2021
