Since the March 31, 2007 grand opening of the new Virginia Museum of Natural History facility, the Museum’s visitation has increased nearly 300 percent.  Through the support of The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont, the VMNH Foundation’s “Make a Lasting Impression” capital campaign has enabled the design and construction of the Museum’s new state-of-the-art permanent exhibits, which have attracted visitors from 41 states and eight countries in less than a year. 

The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont Great Hall features a wide array of displays and specimens under a towering 40-foot ceiling.  A cast of an Allosaurus dinosaur greets visitors, while a 14 million year old baleen whale, Eobalaenoptera, is suspended from the ceiling.  Visitors to The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont Great Hall can also view VMNH scientists at work through windows looking into three scientific labs.

The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont Great Hall also serves as a versatile meeting space for a variety of gatherings including wedding receptions, conferences, lectures and galas.  Since the grand opening of the new VMNH facility, a wide variety of outside groups and individuals have hosted numerous events at the Museum.