WHERE WILL THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM BE LOCATED?
The Peoria PlayHouse will be located in the historic Glen Oak Pavilion. This building will be situated near the planned entrance to the new Peoria Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Visitors will access the Peoria PlayHouse through this joint entrance and will be able to experience both attractions in a day-long visit to Glen Oak Park.
OUR MISSION
It is the mission of The Peoria PlayHouse to be a place in our community where children feel safe to dream and free to explore; where families learn to play together; and where the entire community benefits from informal learning.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create a world class, accredited, hands-on children's museum in Peoria serving Central Illinois children-ages birth to 8-their families, and the educational community.
WHY A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM?
Children's museums represent a community-wide investment in children. Central Illinois parents and teachers have long expressed the need for a hands-on facility designed and constructed solely with the needs and interests of our youngest citizens in mind. The Peoria PlayHouse will meet this need with an environment that piques the curiosity of children, ages birth to 8, and challenges them to learn and grow.
Further, Junior League research has shown that no facility in our area currently offers this type of educational experience for this age group, and that our community's younger population is not being sufficiently served.
This facility will complement current efforts in Illinois like Caterpillar's Destination Technology partnership with Peoria Public Schools District 150. Like this project, a children's museum builds "leadership and teamwork skills, using hands-on, engaged learned activities in science, math and technology, and having fun."
Finally, The Peoria PlayHouse will provide the opportunity for children and families to learn about the things that make Peoria a special place to learn and grow. This includes sharing the rich history that organizations like the Junior League and ADM have played in shaping our community.
Mary Sinker, education consultant for this project, states, "Children's museums should not seem to have dropped from the sky and landed in a community. They must grow from the rich soil that shapes the lives of those who will visit the facility regularly. They must be cut from the cloth of the community and be filled with the history and uniqueness of that area."
WHO WILL MANAGE THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ONCE IT OPENS?
Once a Junior League project is established and fulfilling a community need, it is turned over to an appropriate community organization. We anticipate that the professional staff of the Peoria Park District will assume responsibility for operation of the Peoria PlayHouse once it is up and running, with a multi-year turnover plan allowing for the gradual transition of oversight from the Junior League to the PPD.
After turnover, the Junior League will continue to provide volunteer support to encourage community involvement and assist museum staff. The Junior League will have permanent representation on the children's museum advisory board.
WHAT IS THE IN THIS HOUSE CAMPAIGN?:
This ambitious project can be accomplished only through the efforts of our entire community. The Peoria PlayHouse is projected to cost approximately $5 million, which includes an endowment for first year operations and a reserve to help sustain the project long after its doors open. The Peoria PlayHouse capital campaign presents an outstanding opportunity for individuals, organizations and public entities to affirm their commitment to the children and families of Central Illinois.
To date, our campaign has raised just over $1.1Million toward our goal. These dollars have allowed The Junior League to retain internationally-renowned exhibit designers Jack Rouse Associates and education consultant Mary Sinker to facilitate the exhibit master plan process, which was completed in July 2004. In addition, local firms, apaceDesign+Engineers and Clark Engineering, are working with The Junior League to complete an assessment of the Glen Oak Pavilion and have provided initial cost estimates for renovation and conversion of the building from its present use to The Peoria PlayHouse.
