RICHMOND, Va. -- As Virginians adjusts to social-distancing measures and businesses and institutions close their doors, online learning experiences are growing in importance. And in the Commonwealth, there's no shortage of online, interactive learning experiences. From exploring the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collections to interacting with animals at the Virginia zoo to an online stroll through Lewis Ginter Botanical gardens, kids and adults alike can explore the state's treasures from the comfort of their own homes.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
In Richmond, the VMFA’s collection of online tours is accessible 365 days a year. The museum if also offering free online video content, webinars, student learning resources, and virtual tours atVirginiaHistory.org/AtHome.
Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is holding Virtual Voyages every day at 2 p.m. (March 16 - 30, 2020) on itsFacebook page. Visitors can go behind the scenes, tour the zoo, and check in on their favorite animals. The zoo'sVirtual Voyage website also offers augmented reality tours, printable activity sheets, a YouTube video series, and more.
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Anyone with an internet connection can spend the day at the museum through interactive 360 degree virtual tours, free webinars, more than 250 hours of banner lectures, and activities and resources for students.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden visit the gardens in Richmond through "Virtual Visits" on Facebook, and explore online resources for learning (including activities for kids) and ideas for relaxation and mental health on lewisginter.org.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg’s website brings history to life through interactive timelines, virtual art collections, guides for teachers, quizzes and puzzles for students, and printable coloring sheets in addition to libraries, archives, and more.
Mount Vernon
Take a digital tours of the mansion throughmountvernon.org/virtualtour. The Mount Vernon YouTube channel also features a livestream of the estate's newborn lambs as well as a library of historical lessons, behind-the-scenes, and video-tours of historical artifacts
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison’s Montpelier website is filled with blog posts, podcasts, andsocial mediacontent for visitors to get an inside look at the area's historic museum and memorial. Access to podcasts and video series can be found on the site'sYouTube page, and those interested in the research, history, archaeology, and collecting at Montpelier can visit the Digital Doorway for a wealth of information atdigitaldoorway.montpelier.org.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
The museum’s collection of virtual, interactive tours allow visitors to explore the museumin depth from the comfort of their homes. The museum's online distance learning programsincludes lessons of history of the United States Marine Corps and numerous virtual learning experiences