Coping with coronavirus, museums and historic sites adapt


by Shaune Lee

Menokin executive director Sam McKelvey leads a guided Landscape Tour. Over the last several months, the Menokin staff reworked and expanded Landscape Tours to include additional sites. The tours are available weekdays by reservation. Photo by Juliana Grassia

KILMARNOCK—From online board meetings to drive-thru fundraisers, museum and historic site directors across the Northern Neck had to get creative to stay engaged with their communities this year.

Faced with concerns over health risks to volunteers and visitors and how to rearrange exhibit spaces to allow for social distancing, some chose to close their facilities to the public, focusing instead on reaching out through social media, websites and newsletters. Others cautiously allowed “by appointment” tours, offering time-slots only on select days.

Uncertainty and restrictions have caused no small amount of difficulty, forcing museums to cancel fundraisers, postpone new exhibits and put scheduled projects or construction on hold.

Longstanding community events…[to-view-more]