Danville Science Center Timeline

November 1993

Virginia Vincent says to her son-in-law, Science Museum of Virginia Director Walter R. T. Witschey, "You ought to build a science center in Danville." Witschey and City of Danville Community Development Director Jerry Fisher form the idea of revitalizing the city-owned 1899 train station as a science center.

A federal ISTEA grant funds the building renovations. Exceptional support from the Danville Kiwanis Club Foundation, along with community and state funding, provides for the center's first permanent exhibition, Fundamentals of Science.

Dec. 9, 1995

The Danville Science Center opens to the public.

1997

A computer lab is installed.

1999

The Butterfly Station and Garden is unveiled, bringing an outdoor component to the center's educational programs.

2000

The Science Center installs educational kiosks along the city's River Trail section of the Dan River. The center hosts its first "ArtTrain" and the U.S. Postal Service's "Celebrate the Century" train.

2001

Media General donates the 1948 Norfolk and Western caboose, which is moved from the Danville Register & Bee to the tracks behind the Science Center. New Fundamentals of Science exhibits are installed.

2004

Ground is broken for the Danville Science Center's expansion.

June 9, 2005

Ribbon-cutting for Science Central - the renovated Southern Railway Administrative Building - creating a Science Center campus.

Fall 2005

The Estelle H. Womack Natural History Collection opens to the public in Science Station.