When the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum closed its doors two years ago for a major renova- tion, the building was single-level and small. But it still saw 40,000 people come through its doors that year. And when the newly renovated facility opens at the corner of Nipomo and Monterey streets in downtown San Luis Obispo, it will have three levels and be four times as big as the old building.
Space often dictates the need for new and bigger children’s museums to be undertaken, as was the case with the county’s only children’s museum in San Luis Obispo, Mueller said. When the new museum opens, not only will it sport three floors of interactive fun, but it will also feature 21 in- door and outdoor learning environments and exhibits. This is going to be a really cool museum, Mueller said, adding that the intention of the separate floors and high-tech exhibits is to keep kids in the museum longer. It’s not just about the kids; it’s also about the social interaction, Mueller added.
Each floor will be centered on a specific age group, such as the third floor, which will feature ex- hibits and learning tools for children up to age 4 and their caregivers. It will be very interactive, Mueller said. The kids are exploring the whole world through their senses.
Louis Rosenberg, an inventor and Cal Poly college professor, has pledged $60,000 to the mu- seum. The money will be used for the trolley replica in the new museum’s “Merchantville” exhibit, an interactive miniature town on the second floor dedicated to children 5 to 9 that will premier as part of the grand opening next year. “Merchantville” will have a doctor’s office, farmers market and fire station, plus many other businesses. The kids will get to role-play adult roles, Mueller said about the interactive town named Merchantville.
The mission of the Children’s Museum is to inspire learning through play, which Mueller prom- ises will abound when the doors to the museum reopen. For more information on the museum visit online at www.slokids.org.
