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Easton Children's Museum, Inc.

Also Known As: CME

9 Sullivan Ave, P O Box 417
North Easton, MA 02356

www.childrensmuseumineaston.org

Mission and Programs

Mission

Our mission is, "Our mission is to help children and families become lifelong learners." Housed in the Old Fire Station in historic North Easton Village, Museum exhibits feature themes from the arts, sciences and humanities.

Programs

The Museum is open to the public six days per week, year-round and is visited annually by 50,000 visitors and hosts over 100 school groups in on-site visits. In addition to three floors of interactive exhibits and an outdoor learning center - The Wild Place - the Museum also offers over 100 different public programs each year.

Additional Comments from the Organization

Have received several Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants including most recently a Museum for America grant to expand programming to serve at-risk youth in nearby urban settings. In 2005 the Museum was selected for inclusion in the prestigious Catalogue for Philanthrophy. In 2007, The Wild Place - a new outdoor learning center, was opened, offering children and families an opportunity for active outdoor play and the chance to develop an intimate connection to nature.

Who We Are

A hands-on children's museum, which provides an educational, cultural, and social learning center for children and families in southeastern Massachusetts.

NTEE Code

Goals and Results


Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2007

  1. Provided almost 700 free passes, memberships and discounts worth $5,000 to 98 community groups, schools and other non-profit organizations serving needy and at-risk youth.
  2. Opened The Wild Place - a new outdoor learning center - that encourages active outdoor play and a love of nature in children.
  3. Increased Museum visitation by 36% in one year

Objectives for Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2008

  1. To double the number of outreach programs held off-site at area schools, after-school programs, community centers,etc. thereby doubling the number of children and families who we serve.
  2. To continue to expand our partnerships with agencies who serve needy and disadvantaged families and assist them in providing important learning resources.
  3. To continue to develop and improve our exhibits,our programs and our customer service.

Self Assessment

The Children's Museum annually conducts a day-long planning and evaluation retreat for Board and staff members to assess current practices and programs and plan for new ones. During 2006-07 it also participated in a self-study of its public dimension as part of the the IMLS's Museum Assessment Program (MAP).

Chief Executive Profile

Paula Peterson is one of the Museum's original founders, and has served as Executive Director since its opening. Educated at Bridgewater State College and Stonehill College, her background includes commercial banking, management and sales. Her extensive and diverse community involvement includes: Bank of Easton Community Advisory Baord (current) Dept. of Social Services Citizen's Advisory Board (current), Oakes Ames Memorial Hall Board of Directors (current), Metro South Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (recently completed). Previous experience includes leadership roles on local cultural councils, United Way Success by Six grants review panels, and area public school planning panels. Paula holds professional memberships in the New England Museum Association, American Association of Museums and the Association of Children's Museums.

Basic Information