The Children's Museum, Inc.
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Description

The Children's Museum, Inc. is a rural non-profit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of people in the community by fostering a lifelong love of learning through enjoyable interactive programs and exhibits that bring out the imagination of every child and the child in every visitor.
Goals:
. To maintain and develop an art and science museum that provides hands-on educational experiences to the community.
. To create and provide interactive traveling exhibits and teaching kits for use in area schools.
. To extend educational outreach services to the community.
. To involve the community in all aspects of the Children's Museum.
. To seek and develop resources to maintain the activities of the Children's Museum.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN SERVICE AREA: Five county area: 20,000 children; Ten county area: a general population of 880,379.
SERVICE START: May 1985
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: More than 50 exhibits, presentations, classes, and special programs in physical science, natural science, art, history, music, and other disciplines.
CLASSROOM KIT PROGRAM: Electricity, Magnetism, Sound, Meteorology, Astronomy, Local History, Music, Energy, and Nutrition.
SUMMER ART AND SCIENCE CENTER: More than 50 exhibits, presentations, classes, and special programs in physical science, natural science, art, history, music, and other disciplines; covers 10 or more Pennsylvania counties.

History

The Children's Museum is a nonprofit corporation and is community based. It is run by volunteer committees and their Board of Directors. In 1985, working from the Bloomsburg area, the members of the Children's Museum developed a hands-on traveling museum that services 17 school districts in five counties. Since 1996, the Children's Museum has run an Art and Science Center to serve the region. Attendance has grown steadily each year, and, in 2001, the Museum purchased the site of its permanent home at 2 West Seventh Street in Bloomsburg. The Museum is open year round. Call for hours and to schedule group visits.

Programs

AUGUST
. August 15, at 11:30 a.m. Frog Stories and Jokes with storyteller Anne Copser. Visitors will enjoy frog stories and "corny" jokes presented in our own Greenway exhibit. A "ribbet-ing" good time for all ages; at 1 p.m.: Walk Your Way to Health. In conjunction with the new Children's Museum exhibit, DII (Diabetes II) supported by Action Health, Inc., a fun exercise program, Walk Your Way to Health will be presented by physical education teacher Sue Schmeimer, Bloomsburg. These invigorating presentations feature an introduction to pedometers and an "Alphabet Scavenger Hunt" throughout the Museum.
. August 16, at 11:00 a.m.: Erin Shellhamer from Tuscarora State Park will host the informative program Animal Camouflage in keeping with our 2006 theme, Light & Color. The presentation, for all ages, explores the coloration of insects and animals that allows them to safely blend into the environment, hidden from predators.
. August 24, at 11:30 a.m.: Dog Bite Awareness and the History of the Saluki Breed with Eileen Drummond and Angel and Hope. This hands-on presentation teaches visitors how to approach dogs, general dog bite awareness and the history of the Saluki breed. Eileen introduces visitors to her Saluki Therapy Dogs, Angel and Hope.

SEPTEMBER
. September 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bring your Grandparents to the Children's Museum Day on the Saturday before Grandparents' Day. Each paid admission for a child includes admission for a grandparent.
. September 16, 12-3 p.m.: Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Weed Weaving". Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own weaving made with yarn and fall grasses to take home. Program included with general admission.
. September 12 through December 16: Autumn School Days -Tuesday through Saturday, by appointment. The Children's Museum offers self-discovery tours for schools, day care centers, scouts and other organized groups. By appointment and at a discounted admission rate ($3.50). General admission: $4.00 (children and adults). No admission fee for children two years old and younger.

OCTOBER
. Wednesdays, October 4 through December 13; time: 4-5:30 pm: After School Art Program with Andrea Marks. For students 6-12 years old, one session per week (weekday TBA) 4-5:30 p.m. Fee: $10.00 per week based on number of weeks per month. Fee for the month to be paid in advance. Pre-registration required. Students will learn methods of numerous art disciplines including painting, drawing and sculpture along with information about the history of various media and artists who specialize in them. For details or to register, contact the Children's Museum Office or a leave message.
. October 7, 6 to 8 p.m.: Children's Museum Annual Open House. All are invited to join the Board of Directors and staff for this evening event. Explore new exhibits and try the many activities related to the 2006 theme, Light & Color. Free admission to the museum and refreshments. Join Jean DiDomenico for a Saturday Fall Art activity during the Open House.
. October 21: Everybody loves the Haunted Children's Museum. Trick or treat activities for all ages: storytelling, face painting and mask making. Kids can wear their favorite costumes. Join Jean DiDomenico for another Saturday Art program, Pumpkin Painting.

NOVEMBER
. November: Native American Month Special activities celebrating Pennsylvania's Native American heritage are added throughout the Children's Museum.
. November 18: Native American Celebration Day. Programs included with general admission. Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Corn Husk Doll Making" Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own corn husk doll to take home. Other programs TBA.

DECEMBER
. December 9: Holiday Celebrations Around the World. Visitors can participate in a festival of international holiday music, games and dance. Light & Color Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Paper Stained Glass". Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own paper stained glass project to take home. Program included with general admission. Other programs TBA.
Don't miss the 2006 Light & Color North Mountain Art League Exhibition: An exhibit of artwork by members of the North Mountain Art League will be on display through December 2006 in the Upper Level of the Children's Museum.

2007
. 2007: People. The Children's Museum begins another exciting year with a new theme, People. New exhibits in development are Passage to Pennsylvania under the Earthdome, People of the Past (Ancient Egypt) and The Pinhole Camera: Portraits.
. April 3 through June 9, 2007: Spring School Days. We are now accepting reservations for 2007. Schedule early. The calendar will fill up very quickly. The Children's Museum offers self-discovery tours for schools, day care centers, scouts and other organized groups by appointment and at a discounted admission rate.

Governance

Board of Directors

DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

04/09 Museum of Man in the Sea

Panama City Beach, Florida

04/09 The Mariners' Museum and Park

Newport News, Virginia

04/08 Roundhouse Museum

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

04/08 Lake Wales History Museum

Lake Wales, Florida

04/04 Taylor Museum of Waco and McLennan County History

Waco, Texas

Museum Associations

04/03 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida