Grand Rapid's Children's Discovery
Museum Opens New Facility
The Children's Discovery Museum (CDM), one of the nations only children's
museums serving a rural area, celebrated the opening of their new $2.2
million, 15,000 square foot facility June 7-8. CDM is excited to expand
and enhance their exhibits that range from the local environment to
dinosaurs from around the globe.
CDM is one of over 400 children's museums across the country and one of
only three in Minnesota. What sets CDM apart is that it is one of the
only children's museums in the nation to serve a rural area in a community
of less than 8,000 people, making it a model for future small town museums
across the country. "As is common in many rural areas, families and
schools are continuously searching for interesting educational activities
that are both easily accessible and affordable," John Kelsch (Executive
Director, CDM). CDM answered this call.
Schools from the 10 counties primarily served by CDM (Aitkin, Beltrami,
Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching and St.
Louis Counties) sent over 10,000 kids last school year alone. One teacher
from Baxter, MN commented, "The hands-on nature of the activities makes
the learning more memorable and fun. Nothing in our area compares to
this!"
In 1997 CDM became a reality as it opened its temporary space in downtown
Grand Rapids. June 7th will mark a key date in CDM's history as it moves
to the permanent facility adjacent to the Judy Garland Museum and
birthplace.
Favorite exhibits also making the move include "Dinostories," giving
students an opportunity to learn about dinosaurs while digging for
fossils. The added space also allows CDM to introduce new interactive
exhibits. One of these sure to be a quick favorite is "Tree-sa" part of
the River Forest exhibit. This interactive, talking tree teaches kids
about the natural history of Minnesota. The museum also hosts a 10 foot
partial replica of the Mississippi where kids can experiment with the
effects of dams along the river water table. Exchange City, a partnership
with Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, is a town square where kids
become the life of the city taking on roles as merchants and customers.
And that's just the beginning!
Generous support from Jon and Pamela Miner; Jerry and Shirley Miner; the
Wilcox Family; Wayne and Corinne Jacobson as well as funding from state,
county, and city governments, has made CDM and its new location possible.
"The Children's Discovery Museum will become a visible and lasting sign to
young people that they are important and that we want their future to be
brightened by the spark of creative learning," Jon Miner (Vice President,
CDM Board).
For more information go to Minnesota
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