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Reminder Assistant Editor WESTFIELD After months of waiting, the Amelia Park Children's Museum's (APCM) new, yet unfinished location on South Broad Street is finally open for business and business is good, according to museum officials. The museum may only have one-third of its exhibits fully functional but the steady stream of children attending the new location are encouraged to use their imaginations to fill in the empty carpet where future exhibits will sit. Molly Watson, vice president of the APCM Board of Directors, explained that the museum welcomes about 30 children per day an amount that meets the board's expectations and defrays operating costs. The museum's annual budget is approximately $120,000 and is funded through memberships, private events, grants and donations. Watson said that the board is working diligently to raise $457,000 for the remaining exhibits by next spring. Fundraising efforts to date total approximately $1.5 million for the new 10,000 square-foot facility and an additional $350,000 for the construction of four of the seven proposed exhibits, including the Kid Powered Universe, Wellness Center, Live Animals and Main Street (a grocery store, bank and restaurant). The exhibits still without funding include Act it Out (theater/stage), the Tree of Life and How Does Your Garden Grow, a multicultural exhibit. Watson explained that the exhibits may cost upwards of $28,000 a piece but they have a much greater value inspiring a potential astronaut, nurse or actress. She noted that the museum recently received $30,000 from Noble Hospital for technology upgrades to the Wellness Center exhibit, which will now be called the "Noble Hospital Wellness Center." "It seems like we have climbed a really big hill with the grand opening [on Sept. 27] at the pinnacle but that's only the beginning," Watson said. "We need to maintain momentum and make sure that people are aware of the museum." Barbara Butera, the museum's weekday supervisor, said the response from the greater Westfield community has been remarkable. She noted that the museum has been averaging four birthday parties each weekend and has seen a large interest in the various playgroups offered at the new location. "It's fun to watch the whole process [evolving]," Butera said. "[The museum] is a wonderful place for young kids. I have an 11 and a 13-year-old and they love coming here. "There are not a lot of places that you can take kids [for safe, supervised recreation]," she continued. "A lot of people are getting memberships to have a safe place for kids to come in the winter." Butera explained that each of the exhibits allow children to gain real life experience with daily tasks such as grocery shopping, banking, visiting the doctor or taking a pet to the vet. Watson noted that volunteers are still needed and those interested should e-mail fun@ameliaparkmuseum.org. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with extended hours on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and children 12 months and older and $3.50 for senior citizens over 60 years old and military personnel. Children under one-year-old are free. Dual membership costs $60, family four-pack membership is $80, family plus membership (for six) costs $100 and a family deluxe membership (for eight) costs $120. For more information go to www.ameliaparkmuseum.org. |
