What have we done so far?

 


Explore it! Children’s Museum
2010-2012


2010
January-February

- First meeting to explore concept of a local children’s museum
- Initial research about children’s museums

March- July

- Established Founding Board
- Research of market and area demographics

August

- Launch of Cobblestone Children’s Museum web site
Incorporated under VA law

September

- Created and marketed online survey to gauge
community interest and support
- Attended Picnic in the Park marketing event to announce Cobblestone Children’s Museum

October-November

- Meetings with community leaders and presentations to organizations
- Board Retreat to visit and meet with Executive Director of the Virginia Discovery Museum in Charlottesville, VA

December

- UMW Business School Strategic Development class presents evaluation of strategic plan to Founding Board


2011
January

- Awarded Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund Grant of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region (CFRRR) in the amount of $2,500 for consulting fees
- Board Retreat to visit and meet with Executive Director of Explore More Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg, VA

February-March

- Partnership with CFRRR to act as our fiscal sponsor
- Became member of Association of Children’s Museums
- Held Informational Volunteer Meeting at Rappahannock Regional Library
- Board Retreat to visit and meet with Executive Director of the Shennandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, VA

April

- Collaborated with UMW Education Department to create traveling exhibit and debut of Amazing Magnets! Traveling Exhibit at UMW Multi-Cultural Fair
- Received non-profit, 501c3 designation
- Awarded $3,000 grant from the Fredericksburg Area Service League (FASL) to create Ready, Set, Roll! Traveling Exhibit
- Partnered with FASL to utilize volunteers to facilitate traveling exhibit program

May

- Beneficiary of Keller Williams " Plays for Kids" Concert
- Attended Hazel Hill Health Fair
- Attended Picnic in the Park
- Board Retreat to visit and meet with Executive Director of Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA

June

- Attended Picnic in the Park
- Mary Washington Healthcare donates $4,000 in sponsorship for Farm to Table Traveling Exhibit

July

- Awarded Economic Development Authority JumpStart!
Grant in the amount of $5,000 to purchase an enclosed box trailer to transport traveling exhibits

August

- Debut of Farm to Table Traveling Exhibit at Family Table event
- Donation of $500 from Fredericksburg Department of Tourism for components of Farm to Table Traveling Exhibit

September

- Attended B101.5 Family Fun Festival
- Awarded Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund Grant of the CFRRR in the amount of $3,000 for board member development

October

- Attended Downtown Dog Festival
- Farm to Table Traveling Exhibit set up at Early Head Start of Stafford

November - December

- Announcement of new museum name: Explore it! Children’s Museum
- Awarded $500 for Window Wonderland Decorating Contest


2012
January-April

- Meeting with Children's Museum of Richmond (CMoR) to discuss possible partnership
- Announcement of partnership with CMoR to work together to bring a children's museum to the Fredericksburg area
- Debut of new exhibit, Build it!, at UMW Multi-Cultural Fair

May-June

- Awarded $2,500 grant from Fredericksburg Area Service League for Art Exhibits
- Attended Spotsylvania Civil War Event with Farm to Table Exhibit
- Attended Picnic in the Park Event with Build it! Exhibit at Hurkamp Park

August

- Attended Family Table Event with Farm to Table Exhibit at Hurkamp Park

September

- Attended Family Table Event with Farm to Table Exhibit at Hurkamp Park