FIVE LEVELS OF CULTURAL INSPIRATION - EDUCATION - FUN - MAKING ROANOKE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

FURTHER EXPANSION

The Western Virginia Foundation for the Arts and Sciences now owns and operates four downtown Roanoke properties: Center in the Square, Center on Church, the former Shenandoah Hotel and the former historic Raymond Loewy Norfolk & Western Passenger Station.

CENTER ON CHURCH

In 1988 the Foundation obtained donations and pledges of more than $3 million, including a state grant of $1.5 million, to purchase and remodel the adjoining Phelps & Armistead building

on Church Avenue, now called Center on Church. The additional space is used by The Art Museum of Western Virginia for educational programs and museum operations, The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge offices and gallery, and the offices of Center Services. Completed in 1990 it added an additional 34,000 square feet to Center in the Square.

OPERA ROANOKE AND ROANOKE BALLET

In 1997, Center was ready to grow again and this time added two new beneficiary organizations, Opera Roanoke and Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Inc.


SHENANDOAH HOTEL

In 2000 a partnership with Roanoke City, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Mill Mountain Theatre enabled the Foundation to purchase and renovate the former Shenandoah Hotel. A dilapidated, abandoned building on a prominent corner of the historic downtown Market the old hotel was restored to productive use and houses visiting artists to Mill Mountain Theatre and has enabled expansion of their educational programs. The first floor is retail space occupied by Twist & Turns.


NORFOLK & WESTERN PASSENGER STATION

In 2003 the Foundation completed renovations of the historic Norfolk & Western passenger station in downtown Roanoke. Built in 1905 and redesigned in 1947 by renowned industrial designer Raymond Loewy, the station is home to the O. Winston Link Museum and Raymond Loewy Galleries of Historical Society of Western Virginia. The Visitors' Center as well as the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau provide a complement to the Museum and return the station to its role as the region's gateway. The convention and Visitors Bureau is a rent-paying tenant in the facility and Center continues the relationship with the History Museum providing space in the passenger station free of charge.