Tribune-Star Correspondent
TERRE HAUTE —
I wonder how many readers remember when the Terre Haute Children’s Museum was a couple of rooms in the basement of one of the downtown churches. My children loved it even then as it opened their eyes to wonders of science and mysteries of the human body. Plus the challenge of Lego block building and the pleasure of the rhythm and music of the drums, organ and bells.
It was a pleasure to take my very young grandchildren to the Children’s Museum when it moved to its present location on Wabash. That Museum had a narrow corridor down the middle with several small rooms off each side of it. But the multiple activities still mesmerized the children. The various experiments and hands-on activities awakened their senses and caused them to use their brains as never before. It was so much fun to watch them learn and grow while there. We all loved the room that was dark, but you could see the lighted outlines of your body on the walls. I’m sure many remember that.
Through the years, remodeling has occurred and more and more activities added. My great-grandson’s first request when he is visiting me, is “Can we go to the museum?” He loves it. And I love to watch him and recall how many generations I’ve shared time and fun with in the Children’s Museum.
I am writing this to challenge everyone who has not yet donated to the new Terre Haute Children’s Museum to do it now. If everyone could come up with five or ten dollars it might be enough to pay off the balance due. The goal from the start has been to not open until its debt-free. What a switch that would be in today’s economy! This may not be a Disney World, but I’m confident people are going to come from near and far to enjoy this museum.
I am glad that the admission is going to be reasonable enough that even low-income folks can bring their children to enjoy it all and learn new things. The museum will help ease the pain felt because the county closed its branch libraries. There are many of us still reeling from that. Libraries were great places to take the grandchildren so they could experience the fun of learning new things. This museum will help fill that void.
As a fundraiser, the museum is offering to put a child’s name on one of the bricks in the outside wall. This legacy of a brick engraved with a child’s name that will be there for decades is rarely offered. Can you imagine what it will be like for future generations of your family when they see that their family helped sponsor this awesome museum filled with thrills and education for all ages.
For information about other sponsorship opportunities contact Executive Director Lynn Hughes at (812) 235-5548. This is the most exciting of all the recent additions to downtown. To make a donation or buy a brick or limestone, visit www.terrehautechildrens
museum.com.
The museum at 523 Wabash is now closed. The grand opening for the new museum is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 24, with the ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. The goal has been to have it all paid for before it opens. They have raised $5.1 million dollars toward a goal of $5.5 million. I am writing this to encourage organizations, churches, businesses, children and families to donate at least $10 each. The Wabash Valley is full of caring people who can make the museum’s dream of being debt-free come true.
Downtown has many new businesses and activities for adults. This museum will be a draw for the college crowd, too. I’ve seen grandparents having as much fun as the children when they visit together. I hope when you visit the museum you can be proud to say, “I helped make it happen.”
— Pat Creasey
Terre Haute
