The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is preparing for one of the most unique additions in its 30-year history: a Bell 430 helicopter that will become the centerpiece of a new rooftop exhibit overlooking Old Town Winchester. 

The museum recently received approval from Winchester City Council to install the helicopter on its approximately 400-square-foot rooftop, which officials say is the only publicly accessible rooftop space of its kind in the city. The exhibit will allow visitors to explore how helicopters are used for research, rescue missions and remote exploration. 

Museum officials said additional details about the rooftop renovation and exhibit installation will be announced in August.

The helicopter itself is making a cross-country journey from San Juan Island, Washington, to Winchester. The museum plans to document the trip on its social media channels as the aircraft travels east. 

The rooftop project is part of the museum’s yearlong 30th anniversary celebration and has been made possible through donations from community members and organizations supporting educational opportunities for local children. 

The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, which opened in 1996 and has operated from its current building since 2014, is one of seven children’s museums in Virginia. In 2025, the museum welcomed more than 71,900 visitors and reached another 24,300 people through community events, impacting more than 100,000 individuals overall. Volunteers also contributed nearly 2,800 hours during the year. 

The nonprofit museum features hands-on exhibits and educational programs designed to encourage exploration, creativity and learning. Officials say the new rooftop helicopter exhibit will expand those opportunities while providing visitors with a distinctive new attraction in downtown Winchester.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.