Exhibits
After years of healthy maintenance and almost 2 million visitors, the Children’s Discovery Museum has announced it is time to replace its popular Kid’s Medical Center exhibit.
“Our medical exhibit debuted when we first opened our doors in Uptown Normal 15 years ago,” said Beth Whisman, Executive Director of the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Town of Normal Cultural Arts Department.
Concept sketches of “Healthy Me!” show the 1,000-square foot exhibit will be located on the first floor of the museum with two gallery spaces that explore personal and community wellness. The future installation’s plans are still in the works, but early details include an ambulance, a health clinic, and a hospital setting. Components will also introduce different areas of medicine, explore innovations in technology, and offer a role-playing environment.
“Play can help alleviate fears and anxieties about seeing a doctor or going to the dentist,” Whisman shared. “We are going to work with local healthcare professionals as we plan the final details to make sure that a child’s experience in the museum is relevant to their experience in the real world. The power of play takes on a critical role as we help children establish a lifelong expectation for access to health care and self-advocacy with their caregivers.”
The Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports the mission and vision of the Children’s Discovery Museum through raising funds and awareness in the community. The Foundation’s fundraising goal to build the exhibit is $350,000 with an anticipated completion date of Fall 2020.
Contact Beth Whisman at Bwhisman@normal.org or 309-433-3447 or Amy Pitzer at Apitzer@normal.org or 309-433-3448 about making a gift or pledge towards the new Medical Exhibit.
Thank you to our early Donors!
OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois
OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center
Commerce Bank
Children’s Center for Dentistry
Drs. Renee and Greg Dietz
The Ogunleye Family
Community Cancer Center
The McLean County Dental Society
Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington
Sharon Alberts
Barbara Bowman
Paul and Trudy Vogel
Myers Family Foundation
Omar S. Khokhar, MD
Carole and Jerry Ringer
Bloomington Family Dental – Drs. John and Stacey Van Scoyoc
Dr. Daniel and Debra Brownstone
Marlene and Larry Dietz
Dr. Jerry and Debbie Grieco
Caroline and Ira Halperin
Dr. Thomas E. Nielsen, MD and Kathryn S. Bohn, MD
Theresa and Joe Prosser
The Owen Foundation
Twin City Plastic Surgery
Beth Whisman
Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation
*Donors as of January 2, 2020
In The News
Resources
- Check out the Museum’s Photo Gallery