August 27, 2021
When Virginia Celeste Ellett passed away in January at 93 years young (as her obituary stated), Science Museum of Virginia staff began brainstorming ways they could honor the long-time supporter for her generous bequest of $2.4 million. Placing a plaque somewhere in the building didn’t seem like a fitting tribute to the vibrant, creative and visionary Ellett. Employees knew that to memorialize her properly, her name must be connected to a part of the organization that — literally — lives and breathes inspiration, curiosity and discovery, so they decided to name the Director of Education position after her.
Timshel Purdum will serve as the Museum’s first Virginia C. Ellett Director of Education. Since September 2018 when Purdum joined the Museum, she has led a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who help audiences of all ages discover and nurture their inner scientist. Through demos, videos, activities, camps, workshops and programs, Purdum’s collaborative team helps audiences of all ages connect to, and enjoy, the science all around them.
“Timshel shares Virginia’s belief in the wonder of science,” said Ellett’s cousin and close friend Carol Beam. “While Virginia was very humble, I know she would be so proud to have her name associated with someone helping nurture life-long learners who engage with the rapidly changing world around them in hands-on ways.”
Ellett was passionate about inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. She was a decades-long financial supporter to the Museum’s annual fund. Her $2.4 million gift to the organization as a bequest is the second-largest singular donation the Museum has ever received.
Ellett worked in the field of education in various capacities for nearly four decades, including at the Mathematics and Science Center for 19 years. She was also very active with the Virginia Academy of Science, where she assisted director Dr. Roscoe Hughes with lobbying efforts to establish the Science Museum of Virginia. Ellett was also a jewelry and glass artist. She donated nearly 20 pieces to the Museum over the years, one of which is on display in the Virginia innovators section of The Forge makerspace.
After graduating from Beaverdam High School, Ellett attended Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, where she received a bachelor of science in biology and mathematics. She also attended the University of Virginia, receiving a M.Ed. in guidance, and did post-graduate work at Union College, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Oak Ridge, and the University of Virginia.
Purdum has been active in the museum community for more 25 years. Before coming to the Museum, she served as Assistant Vice President of Public Experience at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and Vice President of the Museum Council of Philadelphia. She is a peer reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is a Bighorn Basin Paleontological Institute board member. The Virginia native has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of William & Mary and a master’s degree in Environmental Education from the New Jersey School of Conservation, Montclair State University. An expert on a number of life and biological sciences topics, such as animals, plants, fungus and arthropods, Purdum’s passions are paleontology and cephalopods.
“The Museum’s strength lies in its ability to enrich and inspire, and that is just what Virginia did,” said Purdum. “Having a title that bears her name will remind not just me, but all of us, of the lasting impact one person can have.”