Children’s Museum of Richmond gives first peek at major renovation, auctions old exhibits

For the first time in 25 years, the Children’s Museum of Richmond is undergoing a major renovation at its Downtown location. The Dream Big Capital Campaign will be rolled out in phases.

At a sneak preview of Phase I exhibit transformations last week, Danielle Ripperton, CMoR's executive director, explained that one goal is to adapt with the times.

“The building has been well loved,” she said. “We know that the needs of children have changed as well as their learning styles.”

The old exhibits, as well as other equipment and costumes from the museum, will find new life through an online auction that will run until Thursday evening.

As for the new, skylights now adorn the ceilings of the new exhibits, allowing natural light to shine onto the Magic Meadow and Itty Bitty River City. A new Skybox Climber, featuring spiral staircases and bouncing bridges, includes a periscope for visitors to get a 360 view on the museum’s roof. 

The RVA Waterway, an interactive tiny James River, brings visitors all the way from Pony Pasture through Downtown Richmond with water jets, fountains, and movable dam mazes.

The Nature Lab features murals and sounds of native Virginia animals, including a nature sounds matching game with local wildlife. The Nature Lab also includes screen kiosks where visitors can digitally paint and customize their own butterflies to “release” into the magical forest. 

Walls throughout the exhibits are adorned with murals of local wildlife and Downtown skylines — underscoring the “Richmond” in Children’s Museum of Richmond. 

Ripperton said CMoR has worked with the occupational therapy program at Virginia Commonwealth University for the past several years to ensure accessibility within the exhibits. 

During listening sessions ahead of the Phase I renovation, Ripperton said that input from VCU representatives allowed CMoR to achieve their goal of access for children with diverse needs and abilities. 

“The occupational therapy program at VCU has helped us over the past 10 to 15 years make sure that … universal design is part of the process that we use as we're thinking about what can work for children of all abilities,” said Ripperton. 

For example, CMoR’s existing cave exhibit will be enhanced with an addition that provides a wheelchair accessible corridor. The newly renovated cave — known as Cave 2.0 — will also feature fossil touch panels, an echo chamber, and an infinity well for visitors to enjoy. 

“We tried to make sure that we had an opportunity to re-envision them in a way that would be updated, innovative, accessible, but also make sure that we didn't lose any of those fan favorites,” Ripperton said. 

In addition to physical accessibility, all signage throughout the newly renovated exhibits will have both English and Spanish translation. 

A soft opening for CMoR members and donors is June 15 at noon. Following a ribbon cutting, play will be open throughout the museum for members until 3 p.m. 

The grand opening to the public is June 16 at 9:30 a.m., during the museum’s normal operating hours. 

Nancy Belleman, CMoR Board alumna and member of the Campaign Leadership Committee, said that she sees this renovation as an opportunity to propel CMoR into a new era of children learning through play.  

“It's not just a refresh and a refurbishment — this is moving it into the 21st century,” Belleman said. “Not in a high-tech way, but in a very thoughtful and very innovative way. So I'm hoping the next generation will love it.”

The second phase of exhibit renovations will begin in early 2027 and conclude in June 2027.

The major renovation is in partnership with design firm Roto, local architects Quinn Evans, and RMT Construction. As a nonprofit organization, CMoR looks to community support for transformations such as the Dream Big Campaign. To learn more, visit CMoR’s website.