YORKTOWN, Va., August 29, 2013 – A commitment of $250,000 from TowneBank, headquartered in Hampton Roads, will support exhibition galleries, outdoor living-history areas and education programs of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Construction is under way on the new museum, which will replace the Yorktown Victory Center.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown project, planned for completion by late 2016, includes an 80,000-square-foot structure that will encompass galleries, classrooms and visitor amenities, and reorganization of the 22-acre site. A pavilion that will help guests with the transition from the indoor gallery experience to the outdoor living-history experience in the re-created Continental Army encampment and Revolution-period farm will be named for TowneBank in recognition of its commitment.
“TowneBank’s generous contribution comes at a crucial time,” said Philip G. Emerson, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the Virginia state agency that operates Yorktown Victory Center and Jamestown Settlement history museums. “With construction under way, private funds are helping acquire artifacts for the new galleries, produce films that convey the depth and breadth of the Revolution, utilize recent archaeological and historical research to expand the encampment and farm, and develop school- and Web-based education programs.”
“As a community bank, it is our pleasure to support valuable programs and initiatives like the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown,” said G. Robert Aston, TowneBank Chairman and CEO. “It’s an impressive undertaking, and when complete, this indoor and outdoor living-history museum will contribute greatly to the educational enrichment of locals and tourists alike.”
“A public-private partnership is moving the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown forward,” said Sue H. Gerdelman, president of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., which coordinates private fundraising in support of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation programs. “Private individuals, foundations and corporate partners such as TowneBank help ensure that the galleries, outdoor exhibits and educational programs of the new museum become a reality for students, teachers and visitors.”
A portion of TowneBank’s commitment is designated to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., Annual Fund, which supports artifact acquisition and a variety of educational programs at Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center.
Located at Route 1020 and the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown, the Yorktown Victory Center is continuing in operation as a museum of the American Revolution throughout construction and will become the “American Revolution Museum at Yorktown” when the project is complete.
For information about giving opportunities in support of the new museum, visit www.historyisfun.org or call (888) 593-4682 toll-free or (757) 253-4139.
