Join the TimeTravelers
Family of Museums

Virginia museums and historic sites interested in becoming TimeTravelers destinations can join at any time

To apply to be a participating TimeTravelers site, review the information below and mail us your completed application. There is no cost to participate.

2008 APPLICATION (PDF file)
Print and fill out the application form along with a recent brochure or other descriptive materials and mail it to us. In order to display and print the online application, a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer. Download Acrobat Reader now.

Use the form (above) or contact TimeTravelers at 804-788-5824. Mail the completed application and any inclusions to:
Virginia Association of Museums
TimeTravelers Program
200 S. Third Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Be sure complete both pages of the form, sign the application, and affix a sample of the passport stamp or sticker you will use on TimeTravelers passports.

Applications received after the printing of the passport will be considered for inclusion on the website which receives thousands of visitors each month looking for family destinations.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Free Advertising!
In this time of budget cuts and downsizing, TimeTravelers is an excellent way to promote Virginia's museums at no cost to participating sites.

As part of TimeTravelers, we ask that you keep your staff informed about the program. Most importantly, we ask that you make sure that EVERY CHILD who comes through your museum receives a passport. This includes school groups, brownies, daycare, families, etc. Don't miss an opportunity to promote this program and don't assume that they already know about it. In 2007 more then 500,000 stamps were issued from participating sites!

We will print approximately 400,000 passports for distribution. By making the program readily available to children, families can easily reference sites for quick daytrips or plan weeklong vacations. Just think of how many extra museum visits children will make if they know about the program and want to receive their certificate, t-shirt, and patch!

Homepage Sponsorship
TimeTravelers also offers additional benefits to sites who wish to be listed as a homepage sponsor. These museums will be listed on the homepage of the timetravelers website, with a hyperlink to their site, as well as on the destinations page. These museums will also have their initial shipment of passports shipped to them at no charge in February. Sponsorships are based upon a sliding scale (details coming soon). Contact the TimeTravelers office at (804)788-5824 or timetravelers@vamuseums.org for more information.

Background
The TimeTravelers program was developed by the Virginia History Initiative. The initiative was formed by then-Governor George Allen in the fall of 1995. He called on Virginians to work together to ensure a vital future for the Commonwealth by drawing upon and strengthening the educational, cultural, and economic contributions of our historic resources, institutions and organizations. The TimeTravelers program is a product of this initiative.

TimeTravelers
Armed with TimeTravelers passports, students are encourged to visit participating museums and historic sites. Students who collect stamps from six places receive a TimeTravelers t-shirt and a certificate (students are required to pay a $10.00 handling fee for each t-shirt awarded to cover mailing and handling costs). Students who visit at least two museums associated with the annual theme will receive a free embroidered patch. "Virginia Harmonies " is the theme for the 2008 program.

Passports
Approximately 400,000 passports are printed and distributed to public libraries, visitor centers, welcome centers, many public schools, and other outlets in Virginia. All participating destinations receive a supply as well. The passports contain a description of the program and a list of sites participating at the time of printing. Passports can also be downloaded them from this site.

Website
Sites joining after the deadline, are added to the website lists. And we will provide a hyperlink to your site. Participants are expected to notify us when information changes occur so we can keep the website current. You can notify us of changes through e-mail: timetravelers@vamuseums.org.

Passport Stamps
Each participating site must provide a rubber stamp, stickers, or other identifier that fits into a space approximately two inches square. The stamp is used to verify a student's visit to a site. A representative of the site places the stamp on the student's passport then dates and initials it. The verification must clearly indicate the name of the attraction and the date the visit took place.

Discounts
Participating sites are encouraged to offer a discounted admission price to TimeTravelers students and their families.

Program Manual
Each participating site will receive a manual containing promotional materials and marketing tips, suggested companion programs, and information on creating a positive experience for young visitors. A blank passport is included separately for you to copy and distribute.

Requirements
To participate in TimeTravelers, sites must:

• be located in Virginia, Washington DC, or adjoining state,
• keep a regular schedule of posted public hours (sites that are open by appointment only will not be considered), be open at least 4 days a week including one weekend day,
• agree to actively promote the program through their educational programs and walk-in visitors.
• offer a structured interpretive program (i.e. guided or self-guided tour, signage, brochure, etc.), and have informed staff available at all times to place stamps on student "passports"; or provide a clearly identified self-stamping mechanism for visit verification.

2008 EVENT APPLICATION
TimeTravelers is looking for family-oriented events to add to our rewards program. Send us an events application and we will add your event to the website. To further promote your event, your information will also be added to the Virginia Tourism Corporation website. Please be sure to have TimeTravelers passports available at your event and advise your staff that this is a TimeTravelers promoted event. Students who participate in any of these events can get a stamp for their passport.

For an event to be recognized as a TT special event it must:

• occur between February 1st and December 1st, 2008
• be a special event, not an on-going program or exhibit
• occur on a specific date
• be a family-oriented event
• have someone on hand to stamp TimeTravelers passports
• have TimeTravelers passports available to the public at the event
• Finally, each event must have a separate application. Please do not send in a complete listing of your events calendar.

For more information, contact TimeTravelers at 804-788-5824.