Akron Children's Museum announces expansion plans, $150,000 fundraising campaign

Just like a kid, the Akron Children's Museum is growing up.

And just like a growing kid, it needs some additional space to stretch its legs.

The museum tucked in the corner of Akron's Lock 3 Park announced plans Wednesday to expand its footprint by some 3,000 square feet.

The museum already occupies 15,000 square feet in space that was once a parking garage for the O'Neil's Department Store on South Main Street.

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The plans call for a new kid-friendly music studio, a rocket exhibit along with a party room and community meeting space along with a revamped maker's space and other amenities.

From the moment it opened its doors in 2016, museum co-founder Betsy Hartschuh said, it was pretty clear that an expansion would be needed.

The official campaign to expand was launched about three years later with an initial goal to raise $500,000.

Through a combination of private donations along with some foundation and corporate help, Hartschuh said, that goal has been reached.

Pandemic-related delays along with rising construction costs means the museum must now raise an additional $150,000 for the final touches and the new exhibits that will include an interactive outdoor musical garden space.

"We just need a little bit more to put us over the top," said museum executive director Traci Buckner,

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said the museum's plans pair nicely with the city's effort to reshape and revitalize Main Street along with Lock 3 Park.

"This investment is not only one for Akron's future but it is for Akron's kids," he said.

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Construction will start this summer inside of the museum and is expected to wrap up as soon as late September.

The museum, which has a 10-year lease with the city to occupy the space, will remain open during the construction. For more, visit https://akronkids.org.

Since its opening, some 193,000 kids and their families have visited the museum.

“The Akron Children’s Museum has become a destination for schools having essential

learning experiences, families hosting birthday parties, and summer campers looking for

informal learning opportunities in a bright and safe environment," Buckner said.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Children's Museum announces expansion plans