Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota facts for kids
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| Established | 1 May 2015 |
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| Location | Mankato, MN |
| Type | Children's Museum |
| Nearest parking | On-Site |
The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) is a fun place for kids and families in Mankato, Minnesota. It's a special kind of museum where you can touch, play, and learn about many different things. The museum offers exciting art and science activities all the time.
Inside, you can explore cool exhibits like an interactive quarry where you can dig and discover. There's also a giant tree with tree forts you can climb. Another popular spot is the vertical wind-tunnel, where you can watch things float in the air! When the weather is warm, the museum also has outdoor farm exhibits for even more hands-on fun.
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Discovering the Museum's Story
The idea for the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota started in 2009. A group of teachers and community members wanted to create a special learning space for kids. They worked hard to make this dream come true.
Overcoming Challenges to Open
In the summer of 2014, something unexpected happened. Floodwaters caused damage to the museum's planned exhibits. This was a big setback, but the team didn't give up! They worked hard to rebuild everything.
Thanks to their efforts, the CMSM officially opened its doors on May 1, 2015. Since then, it has been a popular spot for families to visit and learn.
Choosing the Museum's Home
The place chosen for the museum needed a lot of work before it could be used. This area had some pollution from its past uses.
Making the Site Safe and Clean
To make the site safe for everyone, a big cleanup project was needed. The museum worked with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to get the job done. With help from a special grant, over 2,500 tons of polluted soil and waste were removed. This made sure the ground was clean and safe for kids to play on.
After the cleanup, the existing building was made ready for renovation. This allowed it to be transformed into the bright and welcoming museum you see today.
