Cape Cod Children's Museum

CONTACT:

577 Great Neck Road South
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-539-8788
capecodchildrensmuseum.org

Barbara Cotton, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Often in philanthropy, ideas change lives. In this case three Falmouth mothers visiting the Dartmouth Children’s Museum in 1990, thought, “This is what we need on the Cape.” Two years and untold hours of work later, the Cape Cod Children’s Museum opened at the Falmouth Mall, where it instantly thrived for eight years. In 2000 they moved to a more central location in Mashpee, where they now attract over 60,000 visitors annually—one of the largest cultural attractions on the Cape, and a vital element in its economy. One of the best features of children’s museums is that they cover everything, from sciences to arts and humanities. The national Institute of Museum and Library Services two years ago recognized CCCM’s quality with a grant to create “A Shore Thing: Views of Cape Cod,” which produced "Salty's Sea Sub", offering an undersea tour of the waters off the Cape, and lessons about Cape geography and human ecology. A major grant from Cape Cod Performing Arts will support performances at the Museum. A creative arts series called WOW (Wonders on Wednesdays) is geared to special needs children and their families. The Museum has sustained itself primarily through earned income—admissions, gift shop, field trips and birthday parties, etc.—but to continue its phenomenal growth will require philanthropic support. Please join them.

(2008: CULTURE: Education: Informal)