Director's Message
Thank you for visiting the website of the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota. As we work toward opening a permanent facility in Greater Mankato, we hope you will stop back often to check out upcoming events and stay informed about our latest updates.
It will take all of us being informed advocates, investors, and volunteers to bring to life this invaluable regional resource. The Children's Museum has been many years in the making, starting with two visionary co-founders, Linda Frost and Mary Jo Hensel, both of whom are parents, grandparents, and early learning educators. Five years ago, they made the connection that regular hands-on learning is critical to early development and dared to imagine a future with our own children's museum in Mankato. Although they recognized that southern Minnesota is a great place to raise a family, Linda and Mary Jo made the connection that our children were being underserved when they considered that there are thirteen children's museums in Wisconsin, five in Iowa, and only two in Minnesota. Like good Minnesotans would, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Soon after, a group of hard working early childhood educators, parents, and business leaders joined the effort.
Today, the grassroots movement has turned into a community initiative. The families of southern Minnesota are making it known that a children's museum is important to their children's healthy development. Business leaders advocate that the region's workforce needs the imagination that drives creativity and spurs innovation. Civic leaders are committed to providing a family focused amenity to increase quality of life, and formal education providers know that kindergarten readiness is key to success in school. Now it's your turn to imagine a brighter future with our children enjoying all the benefits of a children's museum.
To make the Children's Museum a reality, your help is needed now. Imagine how your effort will impact the children of our region and create a legacy for generations. It will take all of us to create something this special; now is the time to get involved.
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Thank you again for visiting the Children's Museum website and for your interest in creating a better future for the children of southern Minnesota. Together we will get the job done.
Peter Olson, Executive Director
"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."
