There are many gift-giving opportunities by which children, families, grandparents, corporations and organizations may participate. The Portsmouth Museums Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit (501(c) (3) corporation, will accept any monetary gifts for the Children's Museum of Virginia. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information please contact Martha Frances Fortson, Executive Director of the Portsmouth Museums Foundation, at (757) 393-8983 (ext. 13) or "Give Online".

"All Aboard for the Future"

The Portsmouth Museums Foundation is launching a $13M "All Aboard for the Future" capital campaign. Funds raised through this public-private initiative will completely transform the first and second floors of the museum and add an additional 12,287 square feet of exhibit space. The Portsmouth Museums Foundation is responsible for raising $4M for new and renovated exhibits. The Children's Museum attracts an average of 160,000 patrons per year, hosting visitors from across Virginia and the United States. Museum visits provide hands-on learning for both the young and "young at heart". Special giving levels are as follows:

Your contribution of any amount is most appreciated!

“Care to sit a while?”

The Portsmouth Museums Foundation presents two opportunities to make a visit to the Children’s Museum a more comfortable experience for those patrons that care to sit for a spell. For only $1,000 you may have a sturdy and attractive wooden bench installed in the new museum with your name or organization of choice on a brass plaque. If desired, you can choose a rocking chair for $500.00 with a plaque as well. For additional information, contact Martha Frances Fortson at (757) 393-8983 (ext.) 13.

“Let’s Make a Match”

Also, thanks to the wonderful generosity of one of our donors we have until December 31, 2008 to participate in a match incentive. For every $2.00 donated, an additional $1.00 will be received by the Foundation. The limit is $25,000 and to date we have received $18,000. Please contact Martha Frances Fortson at (757) 393-8983 (ext. 13) for additional information. This is a great way to make your donation go even further.

“Walls of Tiles”

Help decorate the new Birthday Party Rooms in the soon to be renovated Children’s Museum of Virginia!


The next time you visit the Children’s Museum of Virginia, be sure to ask how members of your family can decorate a ceramic tile to hang on the walls of the new birthday party rooms in the soon to be renovated museum. We are offering everyone an opportunity to put their personal touch on the museum using a tile that will be affixed to the walls in the two new birthday party rooms. We have all the materials you will need at the museum; all you need to do is bring your ideas and put them on a special-sized sheet of paper that will be provided.

The paper ideas will then be processed into a ceramic tile, similar to ones found in your homes and will be professionally installed in the new museum. Our only requirement is that the design be suitable for children and that it fit into the space provided on the sheet.

The cost is minimal and all proceeds will be used to support the museum building fund. Tiles are priced at $40.00 each for a member, and $50.00 each for a non-member.

Be sure to look for the tile making display table during regularly scheduled monthly Family Fun Days and other Special Events. At other times you may ask the cashiers for information and materials to make your design.



Fine Print and Other Stuff…

• All tile designs must meet Children's Museum of Virginia standards.

• Tile designs may be rejected for content without explanation to the artist.

• All tiles must be paid for in full at the time the design is submitted.

• Completed tiles will be held for construction phase.

• Requests for specific locations for tiles cannot be honored due to artistic considerations for placement.

• All tiles, and designs, become the property of the Children's Museum of Virginia.

• All museum decisions are final.

General standards for Tiles…

Intent. The purpose of the tile project is to allow children and family members to express their creativity and have that result in a piece of art that hangs on the walls of the birthday party rooms.

Items considered unsuitable for tiles: Obscene material or themes, nudity, vulgar language, swear words, cruelty towards others, hate themes, gang signs and graffiti, commercial advertising and other ideas at the decision of the museum.