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.
Museum Secretary Polly Edington has clerked at the Grand Rapids Public
Library. She manages the CDM office, coordinates school visits to the museum
and arranges CDM appearances at elementary school staff meetings. E-mail
Polly at: office@cdmkids.org.
CDM Board of Directors
Officers:
Douglas P. Miner, President
Jonathan S. Miner, Vice President
Vickie Rassmussen Wilcox, Secretary
Directors:
John Licke
Ray Nikkel
Julie Sandstrom
Corinne Jacobson
Jerry Miner
Jeff Borg
Jan Bailey
Susie Stauffer
FACT SHEET
Geographic Service Area:
Preschool, K-5 students, teachers and parents living in the 10 counties of Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching and St. Louis
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: 973
Annual Memberships: Adult - $25, Family - $35, Grandparent - $45, Discoverer - $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 three children's museums in Minnesota, and of 400 in the nation
School Service Program Attendance:
Communities served since 2000: 65
School class visits since 2000: 650
Number of schools served: 144
K-5 students served in groups since 2000: 27,807
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:
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
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April - Memorial Day: Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Monday through Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September: Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 Noon to 5 p.m.
October - December: Friday and Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Admission:
General admission for all ages is $7 per person - age one & under FREE! Includes The Judy Garland Museum®. $3.00 per student school discount rate (for 20 or more)
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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Visit the Judy Garland Museum at www.judygarlandmuseum.com
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