EAGLE RIVER -- A Swedish Christmas celebration and 21 permanent exhibits are now on display for the enjoyment of kids of all ages at the Northwood Children’s Museum in Eagle River.
The museum, which celebrated its 11th anniversary last June, is heading into 2010 with a host of planned themes, starting with “Sky and Space” in January and February. Children, parents and grandparents will be able to explore the wide world of space and learn about our solar system and play astronaut.
“We’re working on keeping the museum viable and having a positive impact on the community,” said marketing coordinator Carolyn Ritter. “We get about 26,000 visitors a year, and have 22 exhibits, one of which is changeable.” Over the past 11 years, more than 260,000 people have toured the museum, many of them schoolchildren on field trips.
This year’s Swedish holiday theme is part of demonstrating to visitors about the way different cultures celebrate Christmas. “Last year, we did a Greek theme. It’s part of our educational process,” Ritter added.
About 60% of the Northwoods Children’s Museum’s funding comes from admission, Discovery Store sales within the museum, and memberships. The other 40% comes from donations, either cash or in-kind gift such as office, maintenance and building supplies.
The museum offers many programs, such as Squirm & Learn (ages 1-3) for preschoolers in three nine-week sessions during the school year with structured activities. Casey Vold is the program coordinator.
Others on staff include executive director Ron Nelson and operations coordinator Rouleen Gartner.
Another favorite is Fun with Fathers, a free program held the third Thursday of every month (except June and December), from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for dads, granddads and father figures. The fun activity includes a meal.
Among the many interactive fun and learning exhibits are a fishing pond, dress-up station, general stores (old and new), construction junction, train and founder village, and fire tower/ranger station. Birthday parties and field trips can be arranged in advance. There’s much more to see and do for visitors to the Northwoods.
Admission is $6 per person, ages 1-100. (If you’re over 100, you’ll get in free).
Special holiday hours will be:
Museum Closed:
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 24-26
Thursday-Friday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1
Museum Open:
Sunday, Dec. 27, noon to 5 pm
Mon-Wed, Dec.28-30, 10 am to 5 pm
For more information, call 715-479-4623. You can also visit the website www.northwoodschildrensmuseum.com. The museum is located at 346 West Division St., Eagle River, WI 54521.
