The Children’s Museum of Cleveland was first
established in 1981 by a coalition of parents, educators and civic
leaders. Over the past two decades, the Museum has evolved from
merely providing outreach programs and one traveling exhibit, to being
known as the only cultural and educational resource completely dedicated
to young children
in the Cleveland area.
As the Museum began to flourish in 1986, space became limited. The
increasing number of visitors forced the Museum into a larger facility.
Formerly a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant, this new facility allowed children
to benefit from the intimacy and uniqueness of their own building so they
could better discover and learn about the world in which they live.
By 1993, the Museum had once again become cramped for space, but was
still not prepared to take on the enormous task of constructing a new
building. It was then that the Museum’s pavilion was added to provide an
additional 2,000 square feet of exhibit space. Although this addition
solved the initial problem of limited space, by 1996 the Museum was
becoming threatened for revenue by competing institutions also providing
children’s programming.
In 1997, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and TRW Inc., came to
the rescue and gave the Children’s Museum a chance to analyze and refocus
its mission. In order for the Museum to survive, it was imperative that
they come to be recognized on a broader scale, both regionally and
nationally. Since these initial steps were taken in 1997, tremendous
knowledge has been gained that has helped The Children’s Museum progress
dramatically towards achieving these initial goals, and an exciting future
is in store. The
Children’s Museum of Cleveland is now ready to stand on its own and be
recognized as the premier cultural and educational resource for children
throughout the Greater Cleveland area.
The Museum’s focus on the younger child, in combination with its
experienced educators, quality programs, dynamic new leadership and
interactive exhibits, has gained the Museum recognition and credibility in
the local Cleveland community as the premier cultural resource for
children ages 8 and younger. The Children’s Museum is currently in the
planning stages for a new image, and is taking every opportunity to
create strong alliances, build its audience and be a proud resource for
children, families and teachers.
The
Vision & Mission Statements of The Children's Museum of Cleveland
stem from the vision of the Association of Children's Museums which is to
bring children and families together in a new kind of "town square" where
play inspires lifelong learning.
The Vision: The Children's Museum of
Cleveland is to be "the" Northeast Ohio destination and resource for
all young children, parents and caregivers to engage in fun,
innovative, interactive play that accelerates the child’s
creativity, development and education.
The Mission: In line with community,
market, and societal needs, The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is
dedicated to providing unique, innovative, and impactful
experiences, exhibits, and education programming, within and outside
of the Museum, that will foster learning and development in all
children ages birth-8; with a special emphasis on birth-5.
