Document text
Group will launch fund drive for regional children's museum By DAMIAN MANN Rogue Valley supporters are hoping to raise $4 million to $5 million by the end of next year to build a 15,000-square-foot regional children's museum in Medford. "There is just no comprehensive learning and discovery space for children and families in the valley," said Sharon Bolles, president of the Rogue Valley Children's Discovery Museum three-member board. She believes the new museum, which will offer a host of hands-on activities, will expand on the idea of the Southern Oregon Historical Society's Children's Historical Museum in Jacksonville, of which she is a member. A psychotherapist and Talent resident, Bolles originally thought of the idea in 1997 and has since visited 19 children's museums in eight states. With 45,000 children in Jackson County and another 18,000 in Josephine County, and several thousand more in Northern California, supporters believe the museum will become a regional draw. The museum would offer a 90-seat theater, traveling exhibit hall, birthday party meeting room, dining room, kitchen, art area, nature station and possibly gift shop. Bolles said that until this year, the effort had been decidedly grass roots, but is becoming more mainstream with a fund-raising effort set to kick off at the end of this year. Although exhibits at the historical society in Jacksonville and the future Science Center of Southern Oregon in Ashland are geared for children, Bolles believes they won't conflict with the children's museum. "Our intention is not to be competing," she said. "Our valley, the way it is growing, will be able to support all three. They will be complementary." Bolles has already approached many organizations for support. "I have taken draft plans to the mayors and city councils of Medford, Phoenix and Talent and received written endorsements from all," she said. The Rogue Valley Children's Discovery Museum has hired Charles McHenry of the public relations firm McHenry and Associates, and Joyce Hailicka, a former member of the Jackson County Task Force on Children and Families, to spearhead a fund-raising effort and take charge of site selection. Their salaries are being paid through an anonymous donation. McHenry said the campaign could begin by the end of this year, hoping to raise $4 million to $5 million within 12 months. Two possible sites are being considered for the museum. One is a four-acre site at the Gateway Center at the corner of Belknap Road and Center Drive in south Medford, which would have to be built from scratch. Another possible location in the downtown area could make use of existing buildings, McHenry said. Museum backers anticipate opening in the spring of 2003 and tickets are expected to cost $2 for adults, $4 for children and $2.50 for students. McHenry said the business plan calls for 20,000 child visitors a year and 10,000 adults plus gift shop sales, generating revenues of $170,000 annually. An additional $80,000 a year would be needed through an endowment to pay for anticipated operating costs of $250,000. Throughout the country, there are about 250 similar museums that offer a range of activities primarily designed for toddlers to middle-school children. Eureka, Calif., Stockton, Calif., and Salem are the closest areas that have similar offerings, he said. McHenry said many of the exhibits will promote early brain development, widely thought to increase intelligence in children. The museum will also focus on bilingual education and attracting socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.