Children's Museum visits Kiwanis

Karen Kleine chas with Lisa Townsend of the Children's Musem.
 

Lisa Townsend, Vice President, Marketing and External Relations of the Children’s Museum spoke to the Greenfield Kiwanis about upcoming exhibits, the community involvement of the museum and the museum’s impact on Central Indiana.

The Mr. Potato Head® Exhibit opens January 28, CSI: Flight Adventures opens February 25, Lego® Travel Adventures opens March 10, and a Hot Wheels® opens in May.  Most exhibits are accompanied by age specific programs such as Saturday Science programs for ages 6 and up or Flight Adventures for ages 4 and up.

The Children’s Museum returns to the local community through numerous local projects including the neighborhood near the museum.  The museum purchased the former Winona Hospital complex of 4 acres adjacent to the museum and in partnership with the city is cleaning up the abandoned buildings.  As part of their commitment over $2 million has been spent on neighborhood revitalization with 28 homes built or rehabilitated, 40 abandoned properties have been demolished and 75 homes repaired since 2004.

In 2010 total attendance was 1.16 million with 74,482 school visits sponsored by the museum.  Over $73 million was inject into Central Indiana’s economy including $36 million spent by out of town visitors.  The museum is located at 3000 North meridian Street in Indianapolis and is open daily March through Labor Day and is closed Mondays Labor through February.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Further information may be found at childrensmuseum.org.