Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum (MHCM), the ideal
destination for children and families with exhibits that focus on early
literacy, art, early STEM, health and the local community, today unveiled an
extensive rebranding effort.
At the heart of
this rebranding is a change of the organization's name to Mid-Hudson Discovery
Museum (MHDM), which reflects a
broadened effort to serve children during their early stages of development and
learning.
An anchor of
the Hudson Valley for 33 years, the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, in the wake
of COVID, is launching a new era, under new leadership, by expanding its
audience and programming while repositioning itself as a critical link between
formal and informal education, with an emphasis on STEM.
The Museum's
bold vision for the future includes a dynamic strategy implemented by a new
executive director—Jeffrey Sasson. This strategy centers on a reimagined,
expanded relationship with regional school districts that revolves around the
Museum as a catalyst for strengthening the bond between its informal
educational environment and the more formal learning that takes place in area
schools on a daily basis.
“It’s a major
milestone for the Museum to become synonymous with educating our youth in the
Hudson Valley and to empower them to become the best versions of themselves,”
says Sasson. “This new brand and evolving positioning perfectly illustrates our
growing ambition to serve the children and their parents with the best possible
experience and education.”
Now, as a
result of a strategic assessment and visioning process, MHDM has extended the
age range of the children it serves. With the addition of its new science
exhibition, Science Revealed!, combined with richer and more relevant
STEM programming, MHDM aims to elevate a child’s ability and appreciation for
learning through age 12.
READ MORE: Easy rainy day STEM activity for little ones
During a
private event at the Museum on Thursday, Sept. 22, Executive Director Jeffrey
Sasson, members of the Board of Trustees, Poughkeepsie City School District
Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser, and Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison will discuss
the impact of the changes shaping MHDM’s future. They will be joined by school superintendents and principals from
throughout the region, as well as community leaders from the business, tourism
and philanthropic sectors.
The Museum’s
second floor has been transformed into a vibrant and fully interactive exhibit
gallery called Science Revealed! - a dynamic science gallery that
creates meaningful and memorable engagement for families with children up to
age 12. The exhibition consists of 17 custom-made, hands-on science exhibits
that invite visitors into full-body physical exploration of motion, air,
forces, fluids, and magnetism.
A meaningful
grant has been awarded for the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market, making it a key
growth initiative for the Museum. Future plans include the pavilion being an
enclosed year-round facility that will also house a commercial kitchen for
cooking demonstrations and lessons on how to prepare healthy and creative
nutritious dishes, as well as hosting workshops on experimenting with food for
children, families, and adults. Plans also include having the Market operate
multiple days of the week with approximately twenty vendors.
About the
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum:
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is the ideal destination for families with
children ages 0-12. With exhibits that focus on early literacy, art, STEM, and
the local community, the Museum provides an educationally-rich environment
through which children have the opportunity to develop foundational skills,
engage in purposeful play, and develop interpersonal connections. The Museum is
located in the heart of Poughkeepsie’s historic Hudson River waterfront, near
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park and Waryas Park, just steps away
from the Poughkeepsie Metro-North and Amtrak train stations. Visit mhcm.org or
call (845) 471-0589 for hours, admission, membership, and more information.