Exhibits aren't just for looking at the Children's Museum of Phoenix. This is a place where children, typically up to the age of 10, can crawl, climb, draw, build, read, slide, pedal, design, create, feel and explore.
The site for the Museum was originally built in 1913. The Monroe School was, at the time, the largest elementary school in the West. In 1977 it was included in the National Register of Historic Places. The building was last used as a school in 1972, and was later purchased by the City of Phoenix.
Fast forward to 1998 when the concept for the Phoenix Family Museum was born. It operated without a physical location, traveling from school to school and engaging in community outreach, while supporters raised funds for a permanent home. Big financial names, funding from a voter-approved bond issue, and grants led to the beginning of renovations at the Monroe School in 2006. The renamed Children's Museum of Phoenix opened it's doors to the public on June 14, 2008.
The Museum focuses on early childhood education and school readiness by teaching through play. It will include hands-on experiential exhibits as well as static exhibits created by and for children.
Here's a tip: Children's Museum of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization.
