New visitor center comes to Richmond

Annabel Granger, Contributing Writer

The Valentine Museum collaborated with Richmond Region Tourism in opening a brand new visitor center this past summer.

The visitor center is located in the lobby of the museum on 1015 E. Clay St. and is just one of the many attractions the Valentine has to offer, such as history tours, exhibitions and lectures on a variety of topics Richmond-related.

Booklets and brochures on activities and attractions in Richmond and the surrounding area are displayed in the visitor center, alongside books and trinkets created by local businesses.

Bill Martin, director of the Valentine Museum, said the partnership with Richmond Region Tourism was a “spontaneous combustion,” as both entities were looking for a “first stop for tours.”

“There was no place to start the experience for visitors,” Martin said.

This prompted him to collaborate with the Richmond Region Tourism company to create a new visitor center, which will be the starting point for their guided history tours, according to Martin.

Although Richmond Region Tourism has two other visitor centers in the area, the Valentine offers a different experience for tourists who are interested in Richmond’s history.

The museum is located near historical sites such as the Virginia State Capitol, John Marshall’s house and other houses that date back to the 18th century, according to Martin.

“This is where history happened,” Martin said.

Martin said other visitor centers for tourists exist at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Richmond airport, but they are “unknown of and hidden,” making it difficult for out-of-towners to find them.

The Valentine is the best museum for tourists because the experience provided by the staff is unmatched and it is easily accessible to the public, according to Martin.

“The workers are very knowledgeable on the history of Richmond and answer a variety of questions,” Martin said.

Matthew Robinette, vice president of visitor experience at Richmond Region Tourism, said most people are interested in at least one aspect of a destination, which in Richmond’s case is history.

“We felt like that was a good place to engage people who are already in the mindset of wanting experiences and to explore,” Robinette said.

The Valentine Museum “provides a shared place for our diverse community and those who visit Richmond to pursue understanding and truth together by creating opportunities for honest conversations that are both challenging and enjoyable,” the museum’s website states.

“There is something for everyone in Richmond,” Robinette said.