The mission of the Frontier Culture Museum is to increase public knowledge of the formation of a distinctive American folk culture from a blending of European, African, and Indigenous peoples.

The Frontier Culture Museum strives to be a leading state, national, and international resource for historical and cultural education, and the best managed museum in the Commonwealth.

The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia values diversity and inclusion, learning and education, and engaging museum exhibits and programs that provoke thought and increase public knowledge.

The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia (FCMV) is a state agency, educational institution, and museum. The FCMV's mission is to increase public knowledge of the diverse origins,development, and lasting legacies of American frontier culture, and how this distinctively American folk culture has shaped, and continues to shape, the character of the American people.  The FCMV is primarily an outdoor museum. Its eleven outdoor exhibits provide the setting for interpretative programs designed to improve public understanding of America's widely misunderstood frontier past.  The FCMV's educational programs support the Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Studies as well learning standards for other subject areas. The FCMV is acceredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is open to the public eight hours a day, seven days a week, three-hundred-and-sixty-two days a year.

After a period of sustained growth in visitation and increased earned-revenue from general admissions and special programs and events that extended into early FY2019, the FCMV was confronted with challenges and set-backs from which it is slowly recovering. 

The beginning of the pandemic in mid-FY2020, and the restrictions on public activities and events that followed, resulted in the FCMV being closed to the public for 3 of the last 6 months of the fiscal year. In the aftermath of this extended closure the number of on-site visitors (including the general public and field-trip visitors) declined by 50% or more due to continuing public uncertainty and confusion regarding public gatherings and restrictions. During this period the FCMV was audited by the APA and required to develop a corrective plan that included implementation of ARMICS.

By the end of FY2022 FCMV fiscal and procurement staff made important progress in implementing the corrective action plan, and in bringing its procurement policies and practices into compliance with state policy. A capital budget request was submitted for Crossing Gallery project, which was included in the governor’s budget and included in a new capital construction pool formed under Chapter 2 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly. This period of confusion and uncertainty saw limited progress in the expansion and improvement of the FCMV’s exhibits and programs, in efforts to increase public attendance, and consequently, a steep decline revenues. 

At the close of FY2022 and opening of FY2023 implementation the agency’s corrective action plan continues as does and the continued improvement of its genera operations. Positive steps are being taken to ensure the Crossing Gallery project will create opportunities for growth and further success for the FCMV, and that the agency's best long terms interests are served by the project. 

The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia is an agency that is partly, but not entirely, within the scope of the Virginia Information Technology Agency's (VITA) services.  Agency operations during the pandemic strained its information technology resources and infrastructure, and affirmed the need for improved systems performance. Weaknesses in the agency's business processes, its information security protocols, and in the back-up and storage of critical agency data were identified by state auditors and a corrective action plan has been developed to addressess these weaknesses.The FCMV's annual operating budget was increased for FY2021 to fund the agency's return to the COV network and VITA's full-range IT support services; however, progress toward this goal was minimal in FY2022. 

The FCMV began a transition to new reservations-point-of-sales system during the pandemic and has encountered difficulty in configuring the system to provide agency fiscal and administrative staff with basic ticket-sale and visitor data. Accurate data on ticket sales and visitor is needed to support agency planning and performance managment.. Resolving the issues causing these difficulties is an agency priority for FY2023.

The FCMV's workforce remained it most important and expensive resource through the pandemic, and FY2022. Payroll and personnel costs totaled nearly 60% of agency expenditures for the fiscal year. Recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce, and improving their understanding of the agency's mission as well as the laws and policies of the Commonwealth are continuing concerns for agency leadership. The construction and operation of the Crossing Gallery promises to place different and, possibly, greater demands on agency human resources.  FCMV staff is encouraged to strengthen their knowledge and enhance through skills through the online training offered by the Commonwealth's Learning Center, and to participate in webinars and in-person workshops in public history, interpretation, and general museum studies. Administrative staff continue to increase their knowledge and improve their skills by participating in training offered by central agencies and the Learning Center in support of employee performance management policies and proceedures, procurement, capital outlay and construction management, and Cardinal HCM.

At the close of FY2022, the FCMV's physical plant was in good repair, and the agency had adequate budget resources to manage any needed repairs that arise. Stormwater issues have been addressed. Major repairs to the FCMV's outdoor exhibits have been completed, and plans for the renewal of the West African Farm are under agency review. Major rennovations and repairs to the agency's Administration Building are planned for FY2023, including replacement of windows to improve the building's energy efficiency.

The key risk factors confronting the Museum are general economic conditions, public attitudes toward history and museums, and the weather.

Families and schools are the Museum's main sources of visitors and revenue. Economic contraction impacts household incomes, the cost of living, and school budgets, which often results in a decline in Museum visitation and revenue.  Economic uncertainty and budget troubles at the federal level also indirectly impact the Museum's operating budget and shake public confidence.

Misconceptions regarding history museums also poses a risk to the Museum.  Households and schools make discretionary spending  decisions when planning day trips, vacations, and field trips.  Amusement parks and other types of entertainment experiences with large marketing and advertising budgets compete directly with outdoor living history museums for these visitors and their dollars.                  

Weather conditions are a critical factor for outdoor sites such as the Frontier Culture Museum.  Extreme weather or extended spells of rain negatively impact the Museum visitation. Such conditions result in field trip cancellations and suppressed visitation for key special events.  Extreme weather conditions also damage the Museum's modern buildings, outdoor exhibits, and landscapes. Repairs resulting from extreme weather events further strain the Museum's resources. The completion of the Crossing Gallery project will mitigate this risk.

The FCMV's total appropriation for each fiscal year of the 2022-2024 biennium is $3,482,205. The general fund is the source of over 77% of this appropriation. Just over 22% of the appropriation is derived from the agency's Special Reveune Fund. Special Revenue funds are earned from admissions, annual pass sales, mercahndise sales, and third party facility rental. The FCMV also receives gifts and payments from the American Frontier Culture Foundation, Inc., a public 501c(3) corporation established to support the FCMV.

The Museum's primary sources of revenue in FY2022 was admission fees, annual pass sales, merchandise sales, and third-party rentals. The continued support of the American Frontier Culture Foundation, Inc. also added to Museum revenues.

The statistics in the table below provide an understanding of the scope of the FCMV's operations in FY2022.

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The FCMV offers thought-provoking programs and special events in an unique setting. These programs and the setting are designed to increase public knowledge of American frontier culture.

In FY2022 the FCMV received 41,017 on-site visitors, including students and teachers on field trips. 

The FCMVs purpose as an educational institution and outdoor museum is to present programs that increase public knowledge of American frontier culture and how it shaped, and continues to shape, the national character of the American people. This obliges the FCMV to present innovative, quality programs, and to work to improve program content and delivery. The FCMV provides the public with programs and experiences to accomplish its strategic goals .

The FCMV is committed to providing its visitors with active, engaging, high quality exhibits, materials, and programs that improve public knowledge of history and culture.

• Working within the framework of the agency mission and purposes, develop thoroughly researched, thoughtfully prepared exhibits and programs that support the FCM mission and goals. Train exhibit and program staff to prepare and provide visitors engaging learning experiences. Use public attendance and visitor response to FCMV exhibits and programs to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

• Plan, develop, and prepare special programs one month before the program delivery date. Market programs to the public at least two in advance of the special program date.

• Plan, schedule, staff, and market quality, thought-provoking daily programs at least 6 weeks in advance.

• Develop and distribute mission specific content for guidebook, website, interpretative signs, and social media.

As an AAM accredited museum, the FCMV maintains prescribed standards of collections management and curatorial service. The FCMV's collections are the property of the Commonwealth, and the taxpayers and citizens of the state expect that its cultural and historical properties are cared for by professionals working to the highest standards.

• Review collections holdings and records regularly to insure records reflect the true state of the collection. Monitor and assess the condition of artifacts and objects regularly to insure collection is stored properly and conservation measures are adequate. Periodically review collection to confirm the appropriateness of the artifacts and objects held and that the collection supports the FCM mission and strategic goals.

The objective is to track the number of visits to the FCM as a measure of its performance.

• Increase the number of annual visits to the FCM by: expanding and improving programs to engage the public and foster an appreciation for the relevance of American frontier culture; actively encouraging repeat visits through annual pass and special programs; and offering the public incentives and inducements to visit the FCM such as pay-what-you-will-days that feature extra attractions.

The FCM strives to reach an ever expanding audience with its educational and interpretative programs. The purpose of this goal is to recognize the fact that visitors and visitation are crucial to the FCM's success, and that to remain a viable institution in the future, it must work to maximize visitation.

The objective is to track the number of visits to the FCM as a measure of its performance.

• Increase the number of annual visits to the FCM by: expanding and improving programs to engage the public and foster an appreciation for the relevance of American frontier culture; actively encouraging repeat visits through annual pass and special programs; and offering the public incentives and inducements to visit the FCM such as pay-what-you-will-days that feature extra attractions.

The objective is to increase FCM revenue by diversifying opportunities to earn revenue through merchandise sales, facilities rentals, small contributions, and gifts and grants.

• Develop and introduce innovative products, programs, and services that enhance the FCM experience and support its mission.

The FCMV is committed to providing its visitors with active, engaging, high quality exhibits, materials, and programs that improve public knowledge of history and culture.

• Working within the framework of the agency mission and purposes, develop thoroughly researched, thoughtfully prepared exhibits and programs that support the FCM mission and goals. Train exhibit and program staff to prepare and provide visitors engaging learning experiences. Use public attendance and visitor response to FCMV exhibits and programs to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

• Plan, develop, and prepare special programs one month before the program delivery date. Market programs to the public at least two in advance of the special program date.

• Plan, schedule, staff, and market quality, thought-provoking daily programs at least 6 weeks in advance.

• Develop and distribute mission specific content for guidebook, website, interpretative signs, and social media.

This service area objective is to keep the FCMV in compliance with the laws and policies of the Commonwealth that govern the behavior and activies of state agencies and employees.

• Use audit results by the Auditor of Public Accounts and Department of Accounts to track agency operations.

Increasing revenue from admissions and developing other sources of revenue is an important FCM goal. Increasing revenue creates new sources of funds that can be invested in the accomplishment of the FCM's goals and objectives. Such funds will be used to supplement its general fund appropriation and allow it to better advance its mission and purpose and achieve its goals and objectives.

The objective is to increase FCM revenue by diversifying opportunities to earn revenue through merchandise sales, facilities rentals, small contributions, and gifts and grants.

• Develop and introduce innovative products, programs, and services that enhance the FCM experience and support its mission.

The objective is to track the number of visits to the FCM as a measure of its performance.

• Increase the number of annual visits to the FCM by: expanding and improving programs to engage the public and foster an appreciation for the relevance of American frontier culture; actively encouraging repeat visits through annual pass and special programs; and offering the public incentives and inducements to visit the FCM such as pay-what-you-will-days that feature extra attractions.

This service area objective is to keep the FCMV in compliance with the laws and policies of the Commonwealth that govern the behavior and activies of state agencies and employees.

• Use audit results by the Auditor of Public Accounts and Department of Accounts to track agency operations.

The FCMV is committed to providing its visitors with active, engaging, high quality exhibits, materials, and programs that improve public knowledge of history and culture.

• Working within the framework of the agency mission and purposes, develop thoroughly researched, thoughtfully prepared exhibits and programs that support the FCM mission and goals. Train exhibit and program staff to prepare and provide visitors engaging learning experiences. Use public attendance and visitor response to FCMV exhibits and programs to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

• Plan, develop, and prepare special programs one month before the program delivery date. Market programs to the public at least two in advance of the special program date.

• Plan, schedule, staff, and market quality, thought-provoking daily programs at least 6 weeks in advance.

• Develop and distribute mission specific content for guidebook, website, interpretative signs, and social media.