Viewing specimens under a microscope provides a brand new perspective of the natural world!

November 30, 2020

Viewing specimens under a microscope provides a brand new perspective of the natural world! Now, the museum is offering a free microscope checkout program available to any individual or family who wants to explore the natural world at a microscopic level! A limited number of microscopes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for checkout for a period of one week!

Reservations can be made at the museum box office Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by emailing us at information@vmnh.virginia.gov. If you are requesting to reserve microscopes via email, simply let us know your name, the number of microscopes you would like to reserve (1-12), and the date you are requesting to pick-up the microscopes at the museum. Pick-up is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If you are unable to pick-up Friday or Saturday, please provide a date and time that works best for you and we will attempt to accommodate your request. Pick-up will not be possible on Sundays.

PLEASE NOTE: Reservation requests via email should be made at least one week prior to your desired pick-up date. A staff representative will reach out to you to confirm your request.

*While the microscope checkout program is free of charge, optional donations will be accepted at the time of pick-up.