It took 42 years for a dream to come true, and now the public is about to discover how much that long-deferred dream was worth the wait.
That dream-come-true is the non-profit Great River Children’s Museum in St. Cloud. It will open for a sneak-peak day June 10, and then host its Grand Opening June 20. (See related story in this Newsleader).
The GRCM is a triumph of visionary thinking; determined planning, research and fundraising; innovative design and wondrous imagination. Kudos are due to everyone who worked so persistently with such passion to make that long-time dream possible and to the businesses, organizations and individuals who helped along the way.
Inside the museum are many imaginative, interactive exhibits that children (and adults) can enjoy through play and exploration. Studies have shown children learn best and are mentally healthy through playtime, especially in a social context with other children and adults. And that is exactly what this grand facility provides.
There will also be workshops, various performances and field trips and outreach offerings to parks, festivals, schools and other venues. In that sense, the museum is not just a building; it’s a community connective of shared learning experiences.
Even though the museum is located in St. Cloud, it and its services will be accessible for children in all cities of central Minnesota and beyond.
The inception for a children’s museum began in 1983. One day, Dr. Glen Palm, professor of Early Childhood and Family Studies at St. Cloud State University and Jane Ellison, an Early Childhood Mental Health specialist sat down for lunch together. Their conversation took a “wouldn’t-it-be-nice” turn. A children’s museum in St. Cloud would be a great way for kids to play, to learn, to interact socially. Wouldn’t that be nice?
They shared their enthusiastic vision with others who agreed such a museum would be very nice indeed and the ball, so to speak, started rolling – slowly at first and then picking up speed.
The following are just some of the steps taken on a very long journey:
In 2012, a Museum Exploratorium was established. Later, a needs assessment study was completed, a museum planning team was organized, Liberty Bank donated its St. Cloud building for the proposed museum, a fund drive began followed by extensive museum research, roundtable discussions and countless meetings with special educators, mental-health experts, Head Start teachers and many others. Labs were set up to observe how parents and children interact and learn while at play.
In 2020 an executive director, Cassie Miles, was hired. Two years later, an exhibit-based pop-up experiences program was started through GRCM’s partnership with the Great River Regional Library.
In 2023, a major milestone was reached when the State Legislature gave the museum project a $7-million grant.
Finally, in 2024, BCI Construction Inc. broke ground.
A Game Night Gala raised more than $200,000. More specialist staff members were hired.
And finally, at long last, the magnificent museum is about to host its Grand Opening. Three cheers for a grand museum and a big thank you to all who worked so long and so hard to shape that once-upon-a-time dream into an extraordinary reality.
