![]() The building is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and useable by the widest possible range of people, without regards to age or ability. Underpinning every aspect of the new museum is accessibility. We have been humbled by their overwhelming support.” Individuals and families, businesses, foundations, and local, state, and federal government stepped up to the challenge to revitalize this incredibly important regional asset. “We needed to replace aging infrastructure, add modern amenities, grow our overtaxed capacity, and refit to serve people of all abilities. “The all-new Discovery Museum-and everything it will mean to families in our region for decades to come-is made possible by the tremendous support and love of our community, plain and simple,” said Board Chair Bill Ryan. It also benefitted from the generosity and support of many others: more than 200 individuals and organizations contributed to the Campaign 37% of those were first-time donors to the museum. The campaign also received significant gifts from the Sheth Sangreal Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. This includes a $3M Leadership Challenge completed in late 2015, a year ahead of deadline, and an additional $1M Community Challenge completed in late 2017. The opening of the museum marks the successful culmination of the Campaign for the Discovery Museum, which kicked off in November 2013 and outperformed an $8.4M goal, raising $8.8M toward the new building and Discovery Woods, the accessible nature playscape and treehouse opened in July 2016.Ĭentral to the success of the Campaign was $4M in matching grants from The Manton Foundation. ![]() Bessie the dinosaur, who has graced the museum’s front lawn for more than 30 years, will remain in place and available to visitors. Housed in a circa 1883 Victorian home since it was created by local math and science teacher and naturalist Donald Verger in 1982, the museum holds treasured memories for tens of thousands of visitors of all ages. The original Children’s Discovery Museum will close permanently when the new museum opens. exhibit design by Paul Orselli Workshop Inc. The new museum was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates landscape architecture by Lemon | Brooke Landscape Architects general contracting by JM Coull, Inc. ![]() The new Discovery Museum will inspire every child to find his or her most creative and curious self, and to discover the wonder and truth of science and the joy and importance of the natural world.” “The most important thing we can do is to prepare kids to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing, complex world. “With this great new museum we will reach many more families and will serve as an example for making great STEAM learning experiences available to all kids demonstrating ways to get kids back outdoors to play and, advocating for play as the basis for children’s growth and development,” said CEO Neil Gordon. In keeping with museum pedagogy, all exhibits are hands-on, low-tech, open-ended, and interactive, to encourage play, exploration, and experimentation by all. It also includes reimagined visitor favorites from the original buildings including a Diner, Train Room, and Ship Room, along with other beloved exhibit components such as a giant amethyst and radar magnet. The expanded and completely renovated museum has twice the exhibit space of the original museum and includes significant new galleries for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) experiences including water air tinkering, design, and engineering early brain development math light and color and sound. ![]() Children 12 and under will be free all weekend as a Thank You to the community. New logo files available for download here Ĭelebration Weekend March 3 and 4 children admitted freeĪcton, MA – After 35 years of operation, more than 4.6 million children and families served, tens of thousands of family memories made, and millions of hands-on STEAM-based A-HA! moments enjoyed, the expanded, completely renovated, fully accessible, and now single-building Discovery Museum will open its doors to the New England community for a celebration weekend March 3 and 4, 2018, 9:00am to 4:30pm each day. Raising $8.8M to Surpass $8.4M Campaign GoalĪDA-compliant building and accessible exhibits will welcome and accommodate visitors of all abilities
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