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Raymond Loewy Gallery. Designer For A Modern Era

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Raymond Loewy, Designer For A Modern Era is a free gallery operated by the Historical Society of Western Virginia in the former N&W Passenger Station where Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is quartered. This exhibit chronicles the career of industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Loewy, known for streamlined, modern designs was heralded for his work on the Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives: T1, S1, and especially the redesigned GG1. Working with Pennsylvania Rail Road led to his relationship with the N&W and the overhaul of the Passenger station in Roanoke, then the headquarters city of the Norfolk and Western.
The redesign of the station involved removing the heavy brick facade and replacing it with a sleek glass and metal front to create a more open look. Throughout the 1948 and 1949 renovation, decorative elements were incorporated as in the terrazzo flooring with the N&W emblem and a compass rose embedded in the flooring. The high, domed ceiling was enhanced to use the natural echo for calling trains from a central location.
Incorporating a short biographical film done by Loewy’s daughter, the gallery covers many elements of this great man’s work and career, but with a focus on the transportation fields.
Designer for a Modern Era is a free gallery and is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.

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Directions
  • Directions: I-81 to Exit 143. Take Route 581 south to Exit 5 (Downtown Exit) and bear to left side of exit ramp. Yield onto Williamson Road. Museum at second right, at corner of Williamson Road and Shenandoah Avenue.
Things to Do
  • Monday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Tuesday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Wednesday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Thursday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Friday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Saturday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Sunday Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Admission Rates: free
  • Handicap Accessible: yes
  • Gift Shop:
  • Pet Friendly:
  • Restrooms:
  • Additional Information: Located inside the Virginia's Blue Ridge Visitors Center
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Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535

Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is committed to cultivating an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates the unique backgrounds, abilities, passions, and perspectives of our vibrant community. As our region’s only destination marketing organization, we have a responsibility to showcase the best the Roanoke Region has to offer, and those assets and strengths come in varied forms. We embrace differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, language, visible and invisible disabilities, and all the intersecting identities that make Virginians and visitors alike so unique. We believe our differences make us stronger– and better.