Visitor Center Fundraising Project

VAFP is undertaking the effort to help raise much needed funds to support development of appropriate exhibits for these new or newly remodeled visitor centers. While the citizens of the Commonwealth have provided through General Obligation Bonds funding to construct the visitor centers, the projects do not have adequate funds to provide the natural and cultural exhibits to meet visitor expectations.

Information on each of the 9 visitor centers follows. Note that the basic theme of the exhibits varies for each visitor center. Sailors Creek will be the prototype for the technology based exhibits and will be the first to be made available to visitors. A fuller description of the concept for the exhibits to be developed for Sailors Creek is presented on the Sailors Creek Interpretive Concept article.

VAFP is also seeking tax deductible funding for two other projects to be installed in multiple state parks - spray grounds and toddler playground equipment. Follow the aformentioned links for more information on these projects.

If you would like to make a tax deductible gift, donation, grant, etc. to VAFP for the visitor center project, click here for more information.

1. Raymond R. "Andy" Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 3,926
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,040
Cost Estimate: $416,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • The History and Ecology of the Shenandoah River

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of this park is to celebrate the Shenandoah River, its history and role in human settlement, its natural beauty and its recreational value.

Raymond R. "Andy" Guest/Shenandoah River State Park
350 Daughter of Star Drive
Bentonville, VA 22610
Anthony J. Widmer, Park Manager
540-622-6840
Tony.Widmer@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Raymond R. "Andy" Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

2. Belle Isle State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 4,951
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 2,000 (approximately)
Cost Estimate: $800,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Native American Heritage of the area

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of Belle Isle State Park is to serve as a Gateway to the Rappahannock River and the transition from river to Chesapeake Bay by providing a range of family oriented outdoor recreation and educational experiences, which identify and interpret the historical connections of various ages with visual and phyiscal connections to the land and water, and provide for estuarine research opportunities.

Belle Isle State Park
1632 Belle Isle Road
Lancaster, VA 22503-9425
Timothy G. Shrader, III, Park Manager
804-462-6021
Timothy.Shrader@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Belle Isle State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

3. False Cape State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 2,500
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 900 (approximately)
Cost Estimate: $360,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Human Relationships with the Barrier Spit Island Environs

Sub-theme(s):

  • Coast Guard lifesaving stations
  • Wash Woods history/modern archaeological "middens"
  • Paleo-Indian history and llifeways
  • Birding and duck hunting
  • Biological niches; different ecologies Back bay to Atlantic Ocean
  • Reducing human environmental impacts

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The primary purpose of False Cape State Park is to preserve the unique natural environment of this historic site at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, while providing opportunities for low-impact outdoor recreation and strong programs of environmental education and historic presentation.

False Cape State Park
4001 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-4347
Kyle R. Barbour, Park Manager
757-426-3657
Kyle.Barbour@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the False Cape State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

4. First Landing Trail Center

Square Footage: 3,997
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 990
Cost Estimate: $500,000.00

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Human Connections to the Life Web

Sub-theme(s):

  • Biological interdependence
  • Biological niches
  • Reducing human environmental impacts

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of First Landing State Park is to preserve the unique natural environment of this historic site at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, while providing opportunities for low-impact outdoor recreation and strong programs of environmental education and historic presentation.

First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1415
Bruce Widener, Park Manager
757-412-2320
Bruce.widener@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the First Landing Trail Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

5. James River State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 3,956
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,185
Cost Estimate: $474,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Travel Through Time

Sub-theme(s):

  • Native American dugout
  • Colonial Bateau
  • Canal Packet Boats
  • Railroad
  • Present day recreation

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

Provide appropriate recreational opportunities and facilities so the park may serve as an access site for canoeing, camping and fishing tell the story of the James river and the surrounding region interpret the river's flora and fauna develop environmental education opportunities concerning the river preserve a portion of the cultural landscape along the James River in central Virginia develop the Park as a destination with a full range of facilities for visitors.

James River State Park
751 Park Road
Gladstone, VA 24553
Mark A. Schuppin, Park Manager
434-933-8527
Mark.Schuppin@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the James River State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

6. Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 4,070
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,585
Cost Estimate: $634,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

To tell the story of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate government's retreat from Richmond, Virginia and skurmishes and battles along the route, especially the Battle of Sailor's Creek and the Battle of High Bridge, and the eventual surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park is to preserve the cultural landscape as it was in 1865, and to provide the historic setting to tell the story of the last major battle of the Civil War in Virginia, before the surrrender of General Robert E. Lee's Army at Appomattox Courthouse, and its impact on the citizens of Southside Virginia.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
6888 Green Bay Road
Green Bay, VA 23942
Christopher M. Calkins, Park Manager
804-434-0349
Chris.Calkins@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

7. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 4,000 (approximately)
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,400
Cost Estimate: $560,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Native Americans
  • Westward expansion from Jamestown
  • Life before the dam and the changes that have come about as a result of the lake
  • Five Oaks Plantation, tobacco culture, what took place here during the Civil War
  • The hydro project
  • Possible a small section about former Delegate A. Victor Thomas
  • An "interactive hands-on" area for children
  • Displays of the animal and plant communities within the park
  • Possibly moving the bee and isprey displays from the current location
  • Large aquarium (1,000 gallon) that has a mock fishing pier built into the display to discuss fish species - takes advantage of the fact that they can go to the real pier to fish
  • Audio-visual area

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of Smith Mountain Lake State Park is to provide premiere outdoor recreational and educational opportunities associated with one of Virginia's largest lakes, while interpreting the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the west piedmont region of Virginia.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
1235 State Park Road
Huddleston, VA 24104-9547
Brian a. Heft, Park Manager
540-297-2377
Brian.Heft@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

8. Staunton River State Park Visitor Center (Photo of 1941 Visitor Center)

Square Footage: 3,548
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,200 (approximately)
Cost Estimate: $480,000

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Life along the Staunton River

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of Staunton River State Park, an original CCC park built at the confluence of the Staunton River and the Dan River, is to provide water access and traditional outdoor recreation experiences on Buggs Island Lake.

Staunton River State Park
1170 Staunton Trail
Scottsburg, VA 24589-9636
Joshua R. Ellington, Park Manager
434-572-3694
Joshua.Ellington@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Staunton River State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below:

9. Westmoreland State Park Visitor Center

Square Footage: 4,026
Exhibit Area Square Footage: 1,566
Cost Estimate: $626,400

Exhibit Theme(s):

  • Influences of the Potomac River

Sub-theme(s):

  • Geologic and Paleontologic History of the Horsehead Cliffs
  • Area early inhabitants, i.e., Native Americans, Nathaniel Popes Plantation, Washington Plantation, Stratford Plantation, Lee Family

Park Master Plan Mission Statement:

The purpose of Westmoreland State Park, located in the historic Northern Neck of Virginia, is to conserve and interpret the park's natural and cultural resources, while providing opportunity for traditional recreational pursuits on and along the Potomac River in this CCC era park.

Westmoreland State Park
1650 State Park Road
Montross, VA 22520-9717
William L. Jacobs, Park Manager
804-493-0216
Bill.Jacobs@dcr.virginia.gov

If you would like to make a donation directly to the Westmoreland State Park Visitor Center using PayPal, please click the donate button below: