The Children's museum in Cape will open in the next few weeks…
Step inside the door at 502 Broadway and see the cab of a 1952 fire truck, a mock bank with play-money, an ATM and tellers. At the back of the room a generator and a static electricity producer that will make children's hair stand on end. Discovery Playhouse board president Kevin Priester says the conversion of the vacant building is finished and he's confident the children's museum will open in three weeks. To show off the work that's been done, museum organizers are planning an adults-only fundraiser for Saturday night to help raise money to operate the museum once it opens. The fundraiser will also be a chance to recognize the lengthy list of individuals and businesses who have given their time and treasure to make the museum a reality. The Discovery Playhouse operated from 2006 until mid-2007 in West Park Mall. As part of the DREAM Initiative for Cape Girardeau, the museum was awarded Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits -- $250,000 total -- to attract donors to put it in a permanent home. Businesses that donate can use the credits to reduce their state tax bills by 50 percent of the amount they give, making the credits worth $500,000 to the museum. The March 31 goal for opening doesn't have much flexibility. The museum already scheduled its first traveling exhibit, "What's Bugging Belva," a Purdue University depiction of insect life that arrives April 19. Read more in the SE Missourian.
Written By: kzim
Date Posted: 3/15/2010 9:52 AM
Number of Views: 177
Return