Staff Writer
“It’s all about the children and their families,” said Nancy Chandler, board member of the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum. The museum committee met last week with architect Tim Doak (BR Smith Associates of Presque Isle), who is the design architect for the project and Jay Paulus of Bath, a Children’s Museum exhibit designer.
During the regular monthly meeting, the group brainstormed about possible exhibit topics/themes and what the actual building will look like. “It was so exciting to have an idea what the conceptual design looks like,” said Chandler.
The proposed energy efficient green building is to be located on Glen Street, across from Teague Park. Doak previously surveyed the 1.68 acre site at no charge to the project.
“The whole concept of the Discovery Museum is to ignite the imagination of children,” said Chandler. “This will be a hands-on museum, we want to excite the kids,” she said, adding, “the children come first in consideration of everything including the building design, this is going to be a hands-on experience.”
Chandler said some of the exhibit possibilities included Health and Fitness, an Agricultural and Forestry exhibit, a Tot Spot, for children under the ages of 4 or 5, Science Center, Reading Area and a Grocery Center, which will allow children to learn about reading food labels. In all there are 27 different possible exhibits considered.
Fund-raising for the Children’s Discovery Museum will be an ongoing effort in order to bring the projected $3 million project to reality.
Chandler noted that as a fund-raiser the committee is sponsoring, “Jeans Across Aroostook Day”, held Friday, April 18, from Sherman to Fort Kent. During this day, all businesses, schools and healthcare facilities may have employees pay a $5 donation for the right to wear jeans to work on that day. All donations raised will go toward the Children’s Discovery Museum and as a result of participation in this fund-raiser; each individual will receive a Spruce seedling to be planted on Arbor Day, April 25.
Another fundraiser which will be taking place Tuesday, April 15, (Income Tax Day), at the Caribou Burger King, between 4:30-7:30 p.m. when partial proceeds of the restaurant’s sales during that time will be donated to the museum fund.
Chandler encourages the public to attend the regular museum meetings, held the second Thursday of the month, at 6:30 p.m. at NMDC. “We welcome and appreciate all ideas and suggestions in regard to this project, we want everyone to feel free to take part in these meeting,” said Chandler.
For further information regarding the Jeans Across Aroostook Day or any fund-raisers, dealing with the Discovery Museum contact: Chandler at 760-2556. Donations to the project may also be made by visiting the Web site at: www.Caribou Discovery.org. Pay Pal is available at this site for any donations.
