History
Throughout its history the Children’s Discovery Museum has operated under various names at different locations in the Bloomington-Normal area but has always remained true to its mission of inspiring the love of learning through the powe of play through hands-on play experiences that promote learning and growth. The organization was first founded in 1988 as the McLean County Children’s Discovery Museum. Responding to a need in the community, the museum founders spent six years planning for the museum finally opening the doors to the public on March 27, 1994, showcasing innovative, hands-on exhibits dealing with arts, sciences and communications.
In 1995, to accommodate requests for field trips, birthday parties, hands-on classes, and educational programming the museum relocated. The new site provided 8,000 square feet of open space for additional exhibits and programming. In 1997, to better reflect the visitor population and independent, non-profit status, the museum changed names to the Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Illinois.
In 2001, the museum began a capital campaign to fund the design and construction of a new 24,000 sq. ft. museum with professionally designed exhibits as part of a partnership with the Town of Normal. As plans unfolded for the museum site, the Town of Normal set the museum building as the cornerstone of their downtown renewal effort. On November 18, 2002, the Town of Normal officially announced a commitment to constructing a $4.5 million, 34,000 square feet LEED certified building to encompass the operations of the museum.
On November 27, 2004, the Children’s Discovery Museum welcomed its first visitors in its new three-story home. Since this date, the museum has hosted over 1,500,000 visitors including over 110,000 school children experiencing the exhibits during educational field trips, and thousands of children and families attending classes and programs designed to improve academic skills, as well as social, emotional and cognitive development.
In 1995, to accommodate requests for field trips, birthday parties, hands-on classes, and educational programming the museum relocated. The new site provided 8,000 square feet of open space for additional exhibits and programming. In 1997, to better reflect the visitor population and independent, non-profit status, the museum changed names to the Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Illinois.
In 2001, the museum began a capital campaign to fund the design and construction of a new 24,000 sq. ft. museum with professionally designed exhibits as part of a partnership with the Town of Normal. As plans unfolded for the museum site, the Town of Normal set the museum building as the cornerstone of their downtown renewal effort. On November 18, 2002, the Town of Normal officially announced a commitment to constructing a $4.5 million, 34,000 square feet LEED certified building to encompass the operations of the museum.
On November 27, 2004, the Children’s Discovery Museum welcomed its first visitors in its new three-story home. Since this date, the museum has hosted over 1,500,000 visitors including over 110,000 school children experiencing the exhibits during educational field trips, and thousands of children and families attending classes and programs designed to improve academic skills, as well as social, emotional and cognitive development.
On June 26, 2019 we welcomed our 2,000,000th visitor to the Children’s Discovery Museum! Congratulations Kohaus Family for being our 2,000,000th visitor!
On September 12, 2019, bubbles and laughter filled the air as more than 400 friends, donors, staff, and volunteers toasted the founding of the Children’s Discovery Museum during a 25th anniversary celebration in the Uptown Marriott ballroom, sponsored by Commerce Bank.