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About Us

A Brief History of Durango Discovery Kids
(formerly the Children's Museum of Durango)

1993
Ad Hoc Committee begins meeting regularly to form a local Children's Museum.

1994
Museum opens its doors in classroom at Animas Valley School.

1995
Museum receives 501c3 status.

1996

• The museum teams up with Durango Arts Center and Repertory Theatre and examines the potential of the Durango's historic power plant as a future home for these and other community organizations.
• Durango Arts Center reaches an agreement with the City of Durango on purchase of former Morehart Body Shop. Durango Discovery Kids agrees to rent portion of upper level.

1997
The museum raises $25,000 for Morehart building renovation. Exhibits developed for opening in the near future.

1998
Durango Discovery Kids opens doors in upper level of Durango Arts Center.

2000
The "Secret Life of Trees" exhibit wins award from Colorado Tree Coalition, a state-wide organization dedicated to helping people plant and properly care for trees in their community.

2001
The museum is getting crowded! Board members begin to explore the possibility of expansion into the old Power Plant along the river.

2002
Durango Discovery Kids collects 1,100 petition signatures in 3 hours; the City agrees to a 25 year free lease of Power House property.

2003

• Museum attendance broke the 10,000 mark, registering 11,159 visitors to galleries and programs.
• The Discovery Museum's broad appeal is evident as every state and national grant written is funded for historic preservation, environmental cleanup, and to meet environmentally friendly green building standards.

• First professionally-developed exhibit: Destination Mars broke school group attendance records.
• New Board of Directors
• New Museum staff
• First annual Polar Express fundraiser
• Durango Discovery Museum passes $1 million in fundraising. Construction begins with a new roof.

Learning for the Fun of It

Established in 1994, Durango Discovery Kids is an educational and playful place for children of all ages. Hands-on learning and interactive exhibits, workshops, and programs stimulate the imagination and invite us to discover more about ourselves and the world around us. The Museum offers an informal learning environment that enhances the emotional, social, physical and cognitive development of children.

What We Offer:

• Exhibits: Exhibits are very interactive and "kid-friendly". They change during the year and cover topics from cultural to scientific, such as "Great Explorations", "Destination Mars", "Nature and Me", and "Playing to Learn: Learning to Play".
• Workshops: Arts and crafts activities are offered every Wednesday through Sunday during museum hours. These workshops are an extension of the current exhibit and age appropriate for 3 to 10 year olds. No registration is required; just ask a staff member when you visit. Adult supervision is required.
• Programs: We offer many kinds of programs for all ages; preschool gatherings at the museum, elementary age "School's Out" days for 5 to 9 year olds, Parents Night Out evenings once a month for children who are potty trained, parenting programs, and cultural programs during the holidays.
• Community Outreach: We participate in many community events, offering children's activities so whole families feel welcome. In this way, we also help other non-profit agencies in their fundraising efforts. We have partnered with Music in the Mountains at the Family Festivo concert for children, the Durango Arts Center at the Main Ave. Arts Festival, San Juan Citizen's Alliance at OktoberFest, Manna Soup Kitchen for Taste of Durango, and Community Connections for Festival of Trees at the holiday season.
• Special Events: Members are able to rent the museum for birthday parties, family gatherings, and other special functions. A staff member is available to facilitate the event with age appropriate activities, support, and clean up.
• Future Plans: We are renovating the old Power Plant along the river corridor to become our new home, the Durango Discovery Museum with "science for all". Interactive exhibits, hands-on learning, and fun activities will fill the new space there for people of all ages. This museum environment will be multidisciplinary, social, and creative. In addition to creating a museum environment, we are creating a town plaza where ages mingle and a beloved sense of community may grow. We believe socially vibrant, economically stable, healthy and safe communities are the best places to raise children.

Museum Hours:
Wed - Fri
10:00 - 5:00
Sat - Sun 1 - 5

Closed
Monday & Tuesday

Available for Scheduled Parties by Appointment

Admission:
Adults: $4.00
Age 3 & up: $5.00
Under 3: FREE
Grandparents: FREE
Family of 4 or more: $15
Donations appreciated

802 E. 2nd Ave
Upstairs in the
Durango Arts Center
970-259-9234
970-259-6320 fax
Email us!

Museum Manager:
Ashley Hein

Museum Facilities Manager:
Dawn Jose

Floor Associate:
Zoe Clair

DDK Committee:
Libby Baumchen
Dana Burns
Kelly DiGiacomo
Joe Duckett
Emily Korce
Jeremy LeMasters
Stephanie LeMasters
Sara Tippie
Elise Wilson


DDK Board Area