COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Children’s Museum of Branch County in Coldwater has reopened after being closed in June 2016. The museum starts its third year with a new address, located at the Family Fare Plaza on Marshall Street on Coldwater’s north side. It had been located downtown on West Chicago Street but was forced to shut down when the building was sold.
The 11 exhibits at the Children’s Museum include a paint studio, a sensory playroom, a book exchange, a little theater, a music wall, and an aqua play area.
Kayla Gray is President of the Museum’s 7 member volunteer Board of Directors and an educator at Pansophia Academy in Coldwater. She spoke at Tuesday’s meeting of the Coldwater Noon Rotary Club and said the Museum operates on the belief that play is the work of childhood and the joyful right of all children.
Gray said taking risks as a child builds confidence to take healthy risks later in life and they also believe education begins before entering a formal school setting, calling that a huge issue for Branch County. She explained that her school job has shown her that many kindergarten age kids in the county have parents that don’t foster that concept.
The Museum is a 501C3 non-profit and is paid for with grants and donations. However, grants can’t be used for operating expenses and for the museum, that includes rent and a part time director, although Gray said the first year rent has been generously donated by the owner of the building.
The museum is open 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5.00 including 1 adult. It’s free for children under one with a paid older sibling and $5.00 for extra adults.
