Providence Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Former name | Children's Museum of Rhode Island |
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| Established | 1977 |
| Location | 100 South Street Providence, Rhode Island |
The Providence Children's Museum (often called PCM) is a special place in Providence, Rhode Island. It's a museum just for kids! You can find it at 100 South Street in an area called the Jewelry District. Before moving to its current spot in 1997, the museum was in a historic building called the Pitcher-Goff House in Pawtucket.
Contents
History of the Museum
Early Years in Pawtucket (1977–1997)
The museum first opened in 1977. It was originally known as the Children's Museum of Rhode Island. This was the very first children's museum in the state! The Pawtucket Congregational Church let the museum use its Pitcher-Goff House. This old house was made into a fun place with exhibits, play areas, and activities for children.
The museum quickly became popular. By the 1980s, more and more people were visiting. The building could only hold about 100 people at a time. It had about 3,000 square feet (279 square meters) of exhibit space. In 1986, about 40,000 people visited the museum. Because of this, the museum started looking for a bigger home.
In 1991, the museum worked with the state's Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). They started a program called "Families Together." This program helped families who were separated by the DCYF. For example, it helped arrange safe visits between children and their parents.
Moving to Providence (1997–Present)
In 1997, the museum moved to its current location at 100 South Street. This new spot is in the Jewelry District of Providence. The museum bought a two-floor brick building for $650,000. This building has about 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters) of space. There is also a large outdoor area of about 27,000 square feet (2,508 square meters). This outdoor space was planned for more exhibits and parking.
Before reopening, the museum changed its name to the Providence Children's Museum. This was to thank the city of Providence for donating $450,000 to help with the move.
Nori the Dragon Sculpture
One of the most exciting additions to the new location was a large, colorful dragon sculpture. This dragon, named Nori, sits on a corner of the museum's rooftop. It was first made for an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1997, the sculpture was given to the Providence Children's Museum. An 11-year-old boy won a contest to give the dragon its name, Nori.
Challenges and Adaptations
Like many places, the museum faced challenges over the years. In 2003, some funding for local groups, including the museum, was changed.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the museum to close temporarily in 2020. During this time, they offered fun, interactive programs online. Later in 2020, the museum was affected by a computer issue involving a software company they used. When the museum reopened in late 2021, fewer people were visiting. One reason was that children younger than 12 could not yet get COVID-19 vaccinations.
Museum Leadership
The Providence Children's Museum has had three main leaders, called executive directors:
- Caroline Payson has been the director since 2016.
- Janice O'Donnell led the museum from 1985 to 2014.
- Jane Jerry was the museum's very first director.
See also
