Mankato, MN — The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) is proud to celebrate its 8th birthday since opening at its current location on May 1, 2015. The Museum has been dedicated to igniting the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment.
“Less than 20 years ago, the idea for a regional children’s museum in Mankato was just beginning to take shape. In a relatively short span of time, community interest grew into genuine support and commitment. From the start, the organization positioned itself as a catalyst for building a stronger, more vibrant community around play so that all children in our region can have a bright future of opportunity and well-being. It was a bold undertaking then, but no less today,” said Louise Dickmeyer, Chief Executive Officer.
In 2023, the Museum anticipates over 115,000 visitors, 2,700 total memberships (including over 700 Gateway to Play memberships for families experiencing barriers) and over 150 school group visits. These statistics confirm that the Museum continues to be a favorite visitor destination and an important educational resource for our region.
“These numbers show the Museum is now approaching its most impactful year in our history as an established regional community asset and a valued destination for play and learning. With this new regional role, comes new regional expectations. How can we work more deeply with other organizations to bring about a brighter future for area children? How can we be a leader in areas where other organizations don’t have the capacity or expertise? How can we be more inclusive and serve children of all abilities and backgrounds?” said Dickmeyer
As we move forward in our regional role, we remain committed to our mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment.
To mark this special occasion, the Children’s Museum will be hosting a series of birthday-themed events throughout the week. Visitors can enjoy special activities and programs including a magic show, a bubble bash, and more. For more information about the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota and view our full schedule of events, please visit www.cmsouthernmn.org.