Children’s museum finds its forever home

Main Street business owners will welcome a new neighbor soon as the Children’s Museum of Yuma County moves into its permanent home.

“We are over-the-moon excited to finally bring our programs to the community on a year-round basis,” Melissa Irr, executive director of Children’s Museum of Yuma County, said.

For the last four summers, the museum has operated as a seasonal program within the Yuma Art Center with a few “pop-ups” springing up at various community events, including Saturday’s festival.

“One of the saddest parts of our programs has been packing up the projects and exhibits at the end of the summer,” Irr said. “We’re so exited to have a permanent location.”

The museum will be housed at 200 S. Main St., in a building donated by Heart of Yuma Outstanding Benefactors Clint Harrington and Amy Harrington.

According to Irr, the museum’s permanent home will “open a whole new world for students.” With its year-round permanence, the museum will now be able to host field trips and other expanded opportunities for children and their families.

“It’s fun to watch the interactions between children and their parents or grandparents during our programs,” Irr said. “We encourage that inter-gener

ational learning.”

According to Irr, this undertaking would not have been possible apart from the generous support of local donors; in addition to the Arizona Community Foundation and local rotary clubs, the museum has received a great deal of financial support from individuals and businesses who comprise the local community.

Once the date is set for its grand opening, the museum will hold a public ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its launch into per

manence. In the meantime, the museum is continuing to raise funds and working with exhibit designers to add some finishing touches to current exhibits, as well as develop new ones.

Each of the exhibits will reflect the community of Yuma, featuring the county’s strong ties to agriculture as well as its local shops and river community – including the various plants and animals that dwell there.

To find out more about what the museum has to offer or to make a donation, contact Irr at (844) 426-9862 ext. 700 or melissa@yumachildrensmuseum.com.