demand for the museum’s engaging and educational offerings. As the need for more space became evident, the museum embarked on an ambitious initiative. Through a successful capital campaign, the team secured the acquisition of the former Friendship Fire Company building on 7th Street. This marked a significant milestone as the museum transitioned from rented spaces to having its very own building, providing a stable and dedicated venue for its programs and exhibits. The journey toward making the new space a vibrant hub of learning involved a series of essential steps. The roof was replaced, renovations were completed, and new exhibits were meticulously crafted to ensure a dynamic and enriching experience for visitors. Finally, in the summer of 2002, the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum proudly opened its doors to the public in its new, permanent home. The response to the museum’s new location was nothing short of phenomenal. After just one month of operation, recognizing the overwhelming interest and demand from the community, a decision was made to extend the museum’s opening beyond the initial summer plan. The doors remained open throughout the entire summer, and Sundays were included in the fall into early winter, providing year- round access to the enriching experiences offered by the museum.
museum that year, and an impressive 1,600 students enrolled in school groups, underlining the educational value the museum brought to the community. The success of the museum’s programs and exhibits, combined with its growing popularity, led to a clear realization by the end of 2004: the Children’s Museum needed to be a year-round destination. Over the next fifteen-plus years, the museum experienced
The numbers spoke volumes about the museum’s impact. More than 6,000 individuals attended the
Putting the signage up for the 2002 Grand Opening.
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Some of the earlier Museum exhibits from the 1990’s.
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