Executive Director Sarah Hanks of the Children’s Museum of Blacksburg (CMB) announced plans to move the museum to Christiansburg during the museum’s Power of Play luncheon on Wednesday.
Currently located in the First & Main Shopping Center in Blacksburg, the museum will be moving to the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg later this year.
Relocation provides CMB with more space and an opportunity to expand interactive exhibit offerings. The new location will provide ease of access for families throughout the New River Valley.
The museum will remain open in its current location at First & Main in Blacksburg until the new facility is ready, with a goal of occupying the new space in November.
In addition to announcing the museum’s location, Hanks reported the launch of the Power of Play campaign. With a total campaign goal of $1.2 million, the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club has made an initial gift of $40,000 and challenge grant of $60,000 to ensure the success of the museum’s efforts.
Founded in 2009, CMB began as a dream project of local moms. The museum’s current space at First & Main has been provided in-kind by the center’s owners— Blacksburg APF Partners—providing a storefront for the museum to grow.
Looking towards the future, museum officials believe a larger space will help the museum provide high-quality programming and resource-rich play spaces.
The museum’s aim is to support school readiness and early childhood education initiatives in partnership with educators and families.
The Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club took notice of the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of kids and families in partnership with the CMB.
“When the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club heard about the Children’s Museum’s need to relocate, the project just seemed to fit our mission on so many levels: helping children in our region, education, providing resources for families, the list goes on and on,” Paul French, president of the Blacksburg Lions Breakfast Club, said. “We are proud to be able to support the Children’s Museum as it takes its next exciting step.”
Members of the CMB Board of Directors chose the New River Valley Mall due to the availability of accessible space and its central location within the region. With a total of more than 15,000 square feet, the museum will feature dedicated art and maker spaces, expanded infant and toddler learning and discovery spaces, and exhibits that aim to engage older learners.
The new museum will be replacing the food court and former Charlotte Russe store. There will be entrances from both outside and inside the mall.
“We’re especially grateful to APF Partners and First & Main for their incredible support of our mission during the past five years. Together, in partnership with the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club, local business, educators, service provides, and families in our community, our new children’s museum will serve as a resource and learning hub for children of all ages,” Sarah Hanks, executive director of CMB, said.
Ryan Stenger, Chair of the CMB Board of Directors, echoed Hanks’ gratitude.
“The children’s museum is beyond excited and humbled by the Lions Club’s generosity. It is clear to me that the Lions Club sees the vision we have for the museum and the asset it will become for the greater NRV,” she said.
For more information, please contact Sarah Hanks or visit www.blacksburgchildrensmuseum.org.
