We are making a permanent space for the children’s museum.
Our Project
The overall theme of the museum is “Little Seward”. The new museum will feature hands on exhibits focused on Seward businesses, industries, art, nature, culture and history.
The museum will have various spaces focused on ages 6 months to 12 years old. It will feature a family friendly cafe and a small store. The museum will also have a family resource center, connecting families to much needed resources.
Tell me more about the exhibits.
“Little Seward” will be focused on kids aged 6 months to 8 years old. We will have a post office, a mechanic shop, construction zone, train depot, vet clinic, Brown and Hawkins trading post, a garden, Resurrect Art cafe with music, art & chess, Mt. Marathon climbing area with tunnels, a Ranger Station tower with a water table featuring Resurrection Bay, a tree climber with nature identification, pneumatic tubes and a space dedicated to our friends who are learning to walk.
We also have a room dedicated to kids 8-12. This space will feature a rock wall, a LEGO pit, an art station, a topic deep dive station, bins with STEAM activities, educational games and books. There will be several areas that kids can climb up into to work on projects or read books.
Dive deeper into the details on the project.
FAQs
What is a children’s museum?
It is a space for children where they have the opportunity to learn in a museum environment that is built just for them. Kids learn through play and experience.
When will the museum be open?
Our target date is 2026.
How are you going to fund this project?
Private donations, Exhibit Sponsors, Grants, and Loan.
Is this project self sustainable?
Yes. We have run the numbers in several models and we believe this museum will be able to fund itself.
Will the museum be free?
It will have an admission fee and annual passes.
Who is the museum for?
We will have spaces for everyone from 6 months to 12 years old.
Will the museum be inclusive for all?
We will have opportunities for neurodivergent and autoimmune compromised kids.
Why should you care?
Future Workforce This is your future workforce. Studies show children who visit children’s museums before kindergarten have higher scores in reading, math, & science compared with those who did not. (NCES - National Center for Education Statistics)
Return on Investment PNC Bank has researched the economic impact of children’s museums. They found for every $1 spent there is a $13 return on investment. Due to children who are better prepared for school and eventually the workforce .
Tourism 47% of Seward visitors have at least one child 16 years or younger. 50% of Seward tourism is from Alaskans. Seward Chamber has reported that visitors are looking for more family activities to do.
What is the project total budget?
Phase 1 is $1.5 Million
Is this a childcare center?
No, this is not a childcare center. It is designed for families to visit. We will have availability for childcare centers to visit.