Children's Museum of Tacoma

Children's Museum of Tacoma
The museum's exterior, 2023
Map
Established1985
Location1501 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Coordinates47°14′57″N 122°26′14″W / 47.2491°N 122.4373°W / 47.2491; -122.4373
TypeNonprofit Children's museum
DirectorTanya Durand (2000-present)
Websitewww.playtacoma.org

Children's Museum of Tacoma is a nonprofit museum for children located in Tacoma, Washington. The museum officially opened in 1986.[1] The museum offers hands on play-to-learn experiences for children.[2] In 2018 the museum secured a 1.6 million dollar commitment from the U.S. Department of Defense to open a satellite location on a military base (Joint Base Lewis-McChord).

History

The museum was established in 1985, and opened in 1986: it features play activities and hands on learning for children. In 2000 Tanya Durand became the Executive director.[3][4]

In 2012 the museum moved to a larger venue in Tacoma Washington. The museum also began a policy of allowing customers to pay whatever they want to pay for admission. The museum has three separate themes: Woods, Water and Voyager.[5][6][7]

The University of Washington Tacoma

In 2015 The University of Washington Tacoma and the Children's Museum of Tacoma opened a learning center called The Muse. The Muse was set up to serve the children of instructors and staff of the university.[8]

Partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense

In 2018 the Children's Museum made plans with the support of the U.S. Department of Defense to open a second museum on the Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The museum is converting a skating rink on the base. The museum is expected to open in 2020. The Department of Defense committed $1.6 million to the project.[9][10]

In January 2020 it was announced that Boeing and the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing have donated $1.5-million to the new Children's Museum of Tacoma which will be on the Joint Base Lewis-McChord.[11]

References

  1. ^ "History". playtacoma. Children's Museum of Tacoma. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  2. ^ McKenzie, Madeline (9 January 2019). "Explore Northwest art and culture at Tacoma Museum District". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  3. ^ Wolfe, Courtney. "Tanya Durand Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Tacoma". southsoundmag. South Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  4. ^ "ACM News Announcing the 2019 ACM Board of Directors Elections Results". childrensmuseums. Association of Children's Museums. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  5. ^ Prange Boran, Jenni. "A Parent's Review: New Children's Museum of Tacoma". seattleschild. Seattle's Child. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Children's Museum of Tacoma". Smithsonianmag. Smithsonian.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  7. ^ Matthews, Todd (1 June 2012). "Children's Museum of Tacoma fundraiser aims to keep admission free". ound Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  8. ^ Cooper, Kathleen (24 September 2015). "University of Washington Tacoma, Children's Museum announce early learning center downtown". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  9. ^ "JBLM, Children's Museum of Tacoma to break ground on first-of-a-kind museum on post". The Suburban Times. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  10. ^ "JBLM and Children's Museum of Tacoma to Build Satellite Museum on Base". Premier Media Group. South Sound Biz. 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Boeing reaches out to help military members and their families". Bellevue Reporter and Sound Publishing, Inc. 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.