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).

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