Wonderworks is actively searching for a permanent museum space in downtown The Dalles. Our current Play Station and programming represent a scaled-down version of our museum; we closed our larger museum in 2002 in order to pursue our goal for a permanent museum facility.
Led by our Board of dedicated volunteers the project to find and develop a large museum space to display all of our exhibits and expand our programming has been building momentum since Spring 2006. We have consulted with the Small Business Development Center at Columbia Gorge Community College and developed a basic fundraising plan to raise the funds needed to purchase and renovate an appropriate building to fit our needs. Wonderworks has an excellent base upon which to launch this capital fundraising campaign and has raised funds through several events including an annual Birdhouse Auction and a year-end pledge drive.
We have secured grant funds from local sources and established support from many community and municipal organizations. We are still working toward our ambitious fundraising goal of $550,000 to purchase and renovate a building. We will be pursuing grants from state and regional foundations to help us in this endeavor as well as continuing our annual fundraising events.
In the 1990’s the Wonderworks Board came close to finding a space for the museum by partnering with the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District and several foundations to expand the old Booth House at The Dalles’ Thompson Park into Wonderworks, but the project ultimately conflicted with the park commission’s goal of providing green space for the city. Although that partnership did not produce a museum, it did produce an important study about where to locate the museum in the future. The study looked at successful children’s museums in the region and determined that locating a museum downtown, off the main street, with adequate parking and large, open interior spaces would likely lead to the long term success of a children’s museum in The Dalles. We also believe that downtown businesses would benefit from a downtown museum. It would be ideal for parents to link running errands with a trip to the museum. Errands to pick up new pajamas at Penney’s, a piano book at the music store, and a new leash for Rex could be all linked with an energy-burning trip for the kids to Wonderworks and a snack afterwards at Taco del Mar or any number of places downtown. Obviously, the possibilites are endless and all made more enticing for young children – and parents – by the promise of a stop at Wonderworks. Whether a trip downtown is driven by errands or a playdate, everyone in the community would benefit from the new outlet for creativity at Wonderworks.
The NW Association for Children’s Museums encourages children’s museums to serve as a ‘town square’ for children and families, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. We believe Wonderworks is that town square for families in The Dalles and throughout the region. Many of the parents who bring their children to the Play Station today, played at Wonderworks as children themselves. Clearly this indicates the success and importance of Wonderworks as an institution in The Dalles that deserves our community’s support. As our project progresses we look forward to seeing new and returning volunteers help us with either sweat or monetary donations for this once in a lifetime opportunity to create a permanent home for a beloved children’s museum that has connected so many of our families. Please check back in the next few months to see how you can help.