About
Established in 2011
My Three Chambered Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a reptile natural history museum in Central Virginia. We promote science literacy and STEM education through exhibits, classes, presentations, and community outreach. We strive to spread knowledge and acceptance of this often misunderstood class of creatures, and hope to help improve captive husbandry and wildlife conservation in the process.
My Three Chambered Heart is an educational nonprofit founded and run by a family passionate about reptiles, science, and conservation.
After years of teaching traveling programs, we realized we could reach a wider audience and cover more concepts if we had a physical location. It took years of hard work, but on December 30th, 2023 we opened the doors to My Three Chambered Heart’s Reptile Natural History Museum in Gum Spring, Virginia.
Reptiles* have three chambers in their hearts, in contrast to the four chambers of a human heart. Reptiles are more than just an interest of ours, they are a life’s passion, and so My Three Chambered Heart was named.
*ask us about crocodilians and birds, they complicate matters!
Thank you for your interest and support. If you’ve visited our museum or attended a program, class, or event – thank you! Over 90% of the funding for our museum came from revenue from programs. Our museum is FOR the community, and the community has made it possible!
More exciting projects, events, and exhibits to come,
Jake & Elizabeth
Mission
To spread knowledge and awareness of herpetology through our museum, classes, research, community outreach, and educational presentations.
Vision
Promoting science literacy while improving public perception, captive husbandry and wildlife conservation of reptiles through museum exhibits and educational outreach.
Values
- Reptiles deserve care & respect.
- Research & data supported science.
- Knowledge quenches fear.