Staff Writer
“I know the museum is going to happen,” said Nancy Chandler, speaking of the Caribou Children’s Museum, “we have started our capital fund campaign and we’ve been given an opportunity by a group of local businessmen to purchase a building in the downtown area.” Although the original site of the CCDM was to be on Glen Street, across from Teague Park Elementary School, Chandler and the rest of the project directors have decided that things could move faster toward becoming reality if an existing building was used, at least for now. “The idea of building from scratch at this time, has been put aside but we have the land on Glen Street for 10 years, so that possibility is still there, but just not right now,” she said. The site on Glen Street was given to the CCDM by the city of Caribou in 2009.
At this time through grants, fund-raisers and donations the organization is looking to raise $1.6 million instead of the initial $2 million that was projected. Since the onset of this project, the CCDM has raised an estimated $100,000 toward the goal. The money raised will be used to purchase the building, make the necessary renovations and design the exhibit space. Chandler has already sent out 800 letters seeking individual donations and approached corporations across the country.
“The CCDM will help to revitalize the downtown area of the city,“ said Chandler, “once people understand exactly what it offers, that it will be a place where families will go, that it brings a hands-on learning experience to not only children, but adults as well.”
Chandler also stated that the board of directors recently interviewed a number of possible exhibit designers and will make their decision as to who will create the exhibit space,creating a master plan as to how to best utilize the space for placement of the 20 exhibits, according to the square footage of the proposed location.
“We already have some exhibits committed to the space and have prototypes of others that we will seek sponsors for,” said Chandler.
“This is a lot of work but the CCDM has a very dedicated board of directors and all the volunteers who continue to believe in and work toward seeing this become a very positive addition to the city of Caribou. We have had a lot of talented local people who have volunteered their time and effort to help renovate the site.”
Chandler stressed the opportunities that exist for participation in the planning including: grant writing, fundraising, facilities, exhibits, and community outreach. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Northern Maine Development Commission.
For more information go to www.cariboudiscovery.org or contact Chandler at 760-2556 or John Weeks at 498-8164.
The board of directors of the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum include: Chandler, president; John Weeks, vice president; Tim Poitras, treasurer; Ken Murchison, Robert White, Carol McElwee and Dr. Stacey Jandreau.
The Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum is a non-profit organization. Donations (individual, family and business/corporate) are the driving force behind the museum development. All donations are tax deductible and will be recognized on the CCDM Website.
