Temporary Memorial

Preserving Items from Temporary Memorial

Professionals with the Virginia Beach History Museums (VBHM) trained in the care and preservation of museum objects collected items from the temporary memorial to ensure the long-term preservation of the contents. Staff collected both general memorial items and those associated with each victim. Memorial items were carefully documented and made available to the victims’ families or stored for potential future uses. *VBHM staff did not collect: Flowers, real or artificial (except customized) Vases, baskets, etc. Food Lawn ornaments—pinwheels etc. Balloons Wet or moldy items (unless customized/exceptional)

Memorial Rocks

Words are powerful, and often, it helps to release feelings by writing them down. Employees and the community had the chance to offer their condolences, share positive memories about those we lost, or simply provide words of encouragement on rocks.