For decades, the Muncie Children’s Museum (MCM) has been a staple of learning and play for families throughout East Central Indiana. With interactive exhibits that spark curiosity and a commitment to making education fun, the museum has long served as an invaluable resource for children of all ages. Now, through continued improvements and a new initiative called Access for All, the museum is furthering its mission of inclusivity and engagement.
A Legacy of Learning Through Play
One of the museum’s founders, Elizabeth Pogue Marshall, is still very much involved and, along with her husband, Richard Marshall, was an honorary chair of the most recent capital campaign.
The museum was founded in 1977 by Marshall and three other educators who recognized the need for a hands-on children’s museum where kids could interact with everything. They were not content with simply viewing bugs and butterflies behind glass. Their vision was to create an extremely interactive and tactile environment where children could touch, explore, and learn through direct experience. The MCM became one of the first in the country to adopt this innovative approach.
“We were different at that time,” said Development Director Kira Childers. “The founders had a vision for something unique, and we’ve always tried to hold to that vision. We strive to provide a space where learning and fun go hand in hand. Every exhibit is designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking and social interaction.”
Popular exhibits include a giant ant wall kids can climb through, a child-sized grocery store, the White River Water Table, and the Muncie and Western Railroad Train Exhibit. This train exhibit features an incredibly detailed layout designed to resemble Muncie, complete with familiar landmarks and buildings. These immersive environments provide children with opportunities for imaginative play while also teaching them valuable real-world concepts.
Recent Improvements and Capital Campaign Success
A capital campaign was launched to maintain and enhance the museum’s offerings, with a goal of raising $3 million. Despite beginning in early 2020, just before the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign has been highly successful, coming within $150,000 of its target.
“It was an exciting time, but the pandemic quickly made things uncertain,” Childers said. “It wasn’t a great start to the campaign. We only had around 8,000 visitors for the whole year. In 2019 we had one of our highest-attended years since we moved into this building – around 42,000 visitors. But luckily we’ve rebounded since then. Last year we had over 46,000 guests.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors and the resilience of the museum team, they’ve been able to make major improvements despite the setbacks of the pandemic. Funds raised are allowing for many exhibit upgrades and will make new ones possible, such as a new nature center focused on teaching about animals native to Indiana, and a weather center educating kids on various weather patterns and preparedness.
Each new exhibit will contain a special book nook with books for all ages on the exhibit topics, as well as a career component. Campaign funds will also go toward facility enhancements and overall sustainability efforts for the museum. These updates ensure that future generations of children will continue to benefit from engaging educational experiences.
The MCM also receives support from foundations such as the George and Frances Ball Foundation, the Ball Brothers Foundation, the Shafer Foundation and the Community Foundation. It partners with organizations like Camp Adventure, the Red Tail Conservancy and the White River Watershed to offer families educational experiences off-site and free of charge. The money raised will ensure that this valuable programming remains.
Introducing the Access for All Program
Recognizing that cost can be a barrier for some families, the museum has created the Access for All initiative to provide discounted admission to qualifying households. They created this program with Jenni Marsh, CEO of the Heart of Indiana United Way and museum board member.
“We never want finances to be the reason a child misses out on the joy of discovery,” said Childers. “Through Access for All, we’re ensuring that more families can experience what the museum has to offer.”
Families eligible for programs such as SNAP, Hoosier Healthwise, WIC or Medicaid can receive a discount on admission – $1 per person or $5 per family – a significant reduction from the regular admission charge. This effort aligns with the museum’s overarching goal of inclusivity and reinforces its role as a community asset.
As the museum continues to evolve, its leadership remains committed to expanding access and improving the visitor experience. With a nearly completed capital campaign and the success of programs like Access for All, the future is bright for this beloved local gem. The MCM continues to be a treasured resource in the community – one where all children, regardless of background, can come to play, explore and grow.
For more information on the Muncie Children’s Museum, including details on the Access for All program or ways to support its mission, visit munciemuseum.com or contact the museum directly at 765-286-1660.
