Broad Street Station (now home to the Science Museum of Virginia) was designed by John Russell Pope. Pope’s other notable designs include the Jefferson Memorial, the National Archives and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
August 1913
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P) select a design submitted by New York architect, John Russell Pope, for a new passenger station to be built in Richmond, VA.
April 1916
The RF&P and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad announce that a new station will be built on a 50-acre tract on Broad Street. Plans feature an innovative rail yard and track system.
January 1917
Ground is broken for Broad Street Station.
January 1919
The first train pulls out from Broad Street Station at 1:07 pm.
April 1943
During World War II, a record 33,324 passengers arrive, depart or pass through Broad Street Station.
June 1951
Lightning strikes and damages the station’s terra-cotta Rotunda dome, requiring it to be replaced with copper sheeting.
May 1971
The RF&P’s passenger rail service ends. Amtrak takes over passenger train service to Richmond and throughout much of the country. Broad Street Station is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
November 1975
Amtrak moves all passenger train operations to a new station on Staples Mill Road. The last passenger train departs Broad Street Station at 4:58 am.
March 1976
RF&P sells Broad Street Station to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
January 1977
Governor Mills E. Godwin unveils the Science Museum of Virginia’s first permanent exhibit gallery, the Discovery Room.
April 1983
The Museum completes the addition of The Dome theater, formerly known as the Ethyl IMAX®DOME & Planetarium.
January 1995
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources erects a marker to commemorate the station’s place in the history of the Commonwealth.
October 2000
The Museum completes extensive exterior renovations, new interior spaces and a new exhibition.
January 2003
Mary Morton Parsons Earth-Moon Sculpture “the Kugels” is dedicated. At the time, the 29-ton solid granite globe of the Earth Kugel was the Guinness World Record-holder.
September 2005
The Museum opens 40 new interactive exhibits. Also unveiled were multipurpose galleries devoted to the history of Broad Street Station and Virginia’s prehistoric past.
June 2007
The Museum restores the Rotunda’s original terrazzo floor and Tennessee pink marble wainscoting.
July 2008
The Dome undergoes at $1.1 million renovation including new seats, carpeting and refurbishment of the screen.
December 2011
The Museum launches the Inspire the World capital campaign to transform the Science Museum of Virginia’s galleries and programs.
June 2013
The Museum opens its first new permanent gallery in over a decade, Boost!, a new approach to human physiology and the science of staying healthy.
March 2014
The Dome reopens with an upgraded state-of-the-art digital full dome projection system and a new NanoSeam™ screen. The $2.2 million renovation unveils the Digistar 5 system with 3D capability.
March 2015
Restoration to the Rotunda’s interior dome ceiling is completed. The newly resurfaced ceiling returns to its original grayish-blue hue.
April 2016
The Museum opens a multi-faceted exploratory learning place for children five and under, LightPlace.
May 2016
The Museum’s most ambitious gallery in its history, Speed, opens to the public. The Speed gallery features the SR-71 Blackbird, unveiling the intersection of motion and time across a world of science and technology.
April 2017
The Museum opens the Dewey Gottwald Center, a sleek new structure that serves as a flexible venue for community events and blockbuster traveling exhibitions.
September 2018
The Museum opens The Forge, its new permanent makerspace. The Forge harnesses the power of the maker movement, celebrates innovation and encourages guests to roll up their sleeves to create.
Get connected! Grab your tickets and plan your next visit to the Museum.
Learn More
Join today for unlimited free admission to Museum exhibits, special discounts and exclusive perks.