Our Mission:
ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA...
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through fun, educational, hands-on learning experiences.
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exploring the mix of sciences, arts and humanities.
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sparking the joy of discovery about themselves, others, where they live
and the larger world around them.
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through learning with and from their parents and teachers.

CDM Staff
Executive
Director John Kelsch has an M.A. in Museum Administration from New
York University. One of the CDM's founders, he is responsible for our administrative
and financial management. E-mail John at: director@cdmkids.org.
E-mail Museum Staff at: office@cdmkids.org.
CDM Board of Directors
Officers:
Douglas P. Miner, President
Jonathan S. Miner, Vice President
Vickie Rassmussen Wilcox, Secretary
Raymond Nikkel, Treasurer
Directors:
Jerome Miner, Past president
Jeffrey Borg
Corinne Jacobson
Carole Erickson
Melanie Jacobson
John Licke
Laura Nikkel
Pamela Miner
FACT SHEET
Geographic Service Area:
Preschool, K-5 students, teachers and parents living in the 16 counties of Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnoman, Morrison, St. Louis, Todd and Wadena.
General Information:
Founded: 1994
Facility:
Grand Opening: June 2003
Size of Building: 15,000 square feet
Organization Type:
A Minnesota non-profit, educational corporation
IRS Determination: 501 c(3) exempt
Federal EIN Number: 41-1790485
Governance: 12 member board of directors
Staff: 1 full time, 4 part time
Executive Director: John A. Kelsch, MA Museum Administration, New York University
Volunteers: 128
Members: 1,701
Annual Memberships:
Youth Membership (Age 16 and Under) - $20, Adult - $30,
Family - $40, Grandparent - $50, Get Happy - $100
Total Capital Investment: $2.2 million
Capital Funding Sources:
70% private (221 private capital donors)
30% state/city/county government
Annual Operating Budget: $250,000 62% earned revenue 38% contributed income
One of the only children's museums located in a rural area in a town of less than 8,000 people anywhere in the US.
One of only four children's museums in Minnesota, and of 400 in the nation
School Service Program Attendance:
Communities served since 2000: 85
School class visits since 2000: 845
Number of schools served: 183
K-5 students served in groups since 2000: 39,422
Type of Exhibits:
Geo Zoooom (geography of North America)
River Town (a miniature town setting)
River Water Table (configured like the Mississippi River)
Tot Park Maze (for toddlers)
Dino dig (highlighting dinosaurs and archeology)
"Treesa" (the talking tree teaches kids about nature in Northern Minnesota)
Campus of diverse attractions on 2 acres of donated land:
The Children's Discovery Museum building and interactive exhibits
The restored Judy Garland Historic House
World's largest collection of Judy Garland & Wizard of Oz memorabilia, including the carriage used in Wizard of Oz film.
One acre public garden
Attraction Partners-Coordinated Field Trips:
Forest History Center, Central School, Reif Performing Arts Center, Grand Rapids Area Library, MacRostie Art Center
Selected Grant Awards:
Minnesota Humanities Grant
State of Minnesota DEED
Mardag Foundation
Blandin Foundation
Qwest Foundation
Itasca County
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation
City of Grand Rapids
Iron Range Resources
Northland Foundation
Wells Fargo
US Bank
Museum Hours:
The Childrens Discovery Museum is open
January - March: Friday and Saturday only
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April - Memorial Day: Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Memorial Day through Sept. 30: Monday through Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
October - December: Friday and Saturday only
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Admission:
General admission for all ages is $8 per person - age one & under FREE! Includes The Judy Garland Museum®.
Gift Shop
The CDM Museum Store offers a wide variety of inexpensive kid-themed
toys, books and materials as well as Wizard of Oz souvenirs.
Mailing Address:
Children's Discovery Museum
2727 US Hwy 169 South
PO Box 724
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone:
866-CDM-KIDS (toll-free) (866-236-5437)
218-326-1900
Fax 218-326-1934
Click here to email the Children's
Discovery Museum
(office@cdmkids.org)
Funded in part by The
Blandin Foundation

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What Others Say
Visit the Judy Garland Museum at www.judygarlandmuseum.com
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