For nearly 12 years, our beloved planetarium has lay dormant in the Science Museum of Western Virginia.
But now, The Eye awakens...
Get ready for a celestial journey that you'll never forget!
Join us on February 8th, 2024 at 6 PM to celebrate the Grand Reopening of our beloved planetarium!
Purchase your tickets to RSVP now
Or RSVP to Carrie Knopf at cknopf@smwv.org
1 Market Sq, SE, 4th Floor
Roanoke, VA 24011
**Cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Want to be a Stellar Sponsor?
Check out our Take a Seat '24 Campaign!
Take a Seat 2024
For $1,000, your name or business name will be permanently engraved on a seat. This is a great opportunity to align your legacy with the stars or to honor another individual or individuals of your choosing.
The reopening of The Eye, the planetarium at the Science Museum, is not just a revival of a cherished landmark; it’s a symbol of our region’s progress and revitalization.
For over a decade, The Hopkins Planetarium has been closed to the public and in a state of disrepair. We are thrilled to announce the Grand Reopening and rebranding to The Eye, transporting visitors to the farthest reaches of the universe.
By sponsoring and naming a seat, you become an integral part of its rebirth. Your name, engraved on a seat, will stand as a testament to your commitment to education, innovation, and the spirit of discovery that defines our community.
Sponsorship Impact:
- Legacy of Learning: Your sponsorship fuels a passion for knowledge and exploration in countless hearts and minds.
- Community Revival: Be a cornerstone in the revitalization of the Roanoke Valley, showcasing our region as a hub of scientific wonder, curiosity, and educational excellence.
- Recognition: Your name, or that of a loved one, inscribed in an exhibit space that symbolizes hope and progress.
Rewards and Acknowledgment:
- Permanent name engraving on your sponsored seat.
- Special acknowledgment in planetarium marketing and promotion materials.
Can we count on your support?
Take a Seat, we've got the rest from here.
Donate to our General Fund
Thank you for considering donating to the Science Museum of Western Virginia! We are a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of donors like you to continue our mission of making science and technology accessible to all people and nurturing life-long learning. 100% of your donation goes directly towards enhancing the museum’s exhibit collection, developing our education department and expanding our reach within the local community.
❤️Valentine's Day Fundraisers❤️
Support our Living Collections Department!
Donate with Kroger Community Rewards with your purchases!
The Kroger Community Rewards program makes fundraising easy by donating to the Science Museum of Western Virginia based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your card with SMWV, all you have to do is swipe your Shopper’s Card and Kroger will donate a percentage of your spending to SMWV.
Enrollment is easy, and only takes a minute or two!
- Create an online Kroger account. If you already have an online shopper account linked to your Kroger Shopper’s Card, move to the next step.
- Link your card to the Science Museum of Western Virginia by searching for us by name or by our participation number, which is LT463
- Any transactions moving forward using your Shopper’s Card associated with your online account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you.
We are thankful for your donations!
Car donation
Did you know that you don’t have to give cash donations to the museum to also support us? You can donate your old car rather than going through the hassle of selling it! We have teamed up with ‘Donate for Charity’ which makes this whole process easy. You will receive a minimum $500 tax deduction and the car will be picked up in 1-2 days. Cars don’t have to be running to qualify! All net proceeds go towards supporting your science museum.
You can find out more information on Donate for Charity’s website. If you would like to donate your car, complete a Vehicle Donation Form or call us at 540.342.5710.
If you would like more information about how you can become one of our esteemed donors, please call or email our Executive Director, Mary Roberts Baako at 540.342.5703 or mrobertsbaako@smwv.org, or make a secure online donation. We would love you to come in to visit us also so that we can put a face to a donor’s name!