Construction for the American Journey Gallery has already begun! The construction crews have been making the preliminary preparations for the past several weeks before beginning on the foundations of the building.
The new facility is anticipated to open in the fall of 2027.
The museum will remain open for the duration of construction.
The American Journey Gallery will be located on the east side of the main parking lot.
The expansion of the Americana Journey Gallery building will add 40,000 square feet of indoor space and will include a permanent exhibit, temporary exhibition space, a library and reading room, updated collections storage areas, and the new Cochran Pavilion.
Each of these spaces will include the most up to date standards for museums, allowing for the Frontier Culture Museum to better serve our community and continue our stewardship of the history of the early American frontier.
The new Cochran Pavilion will be 3,800 square feet and will include rolling doors and heating, allowing the museum to hold larger events year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
The renovated spaces will include a new interpreters suite and costume shop to accommodate our growing and evolving staff.
Yes! We will add new sections of parking for general visitors, as well as more parking for buses and EV charging spaces.
The project is funded through a public/private partnership with the State of Virginia and the American Frontier Culture Foundation. If you would like to learn more about how the American Frontier Culture Foundation is supporting this project, please visit: https://www.frontierculturefoundation.org/ajg-2025
The new permanent exhibit gallery will be included in the general admission price for the museum.