Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Museum open?If all goes according to plan, we will open by late 2011.  

Where will the Museum be located?The Museum will be located in the historic Rye Playland Bathhouses. How much money needs to be raised?The Campaign for Westchester Children's Museum has a goal of $15 million, and we've already raised nearly $8 million! We are seeking an additional $7 million to

open with complete exhibit designs.   

Will this project be a burden on taxpayers? No. The Westchester Children's Museum is a privately funded, non-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization. Privately raised funds will help build the infrastructure and exhibits of the Museum so we can be ready to operate by late 2011. 

What are the benefits to Westchester County? Creation of the Westchester Children's Museum will benefit the County in job creation, building tourism, reinvigoration of Playland, adaptive reuse of an historic structure, and most importantly, provide an educational, cultural and recreational resource for schools and families.

An architectural rendering of the entrance of the Museum located in the renovated landmark North Bathhouse at Playland

The historic Playland Bathhouses located along the Boardwalk of the Long Island Sound in Rye

 

Continued…

Here are a few important notes to consider:  Beyond the millions of dollars invested by WCM in improving a

national historic landmark building, the Playland Bathhouses, the museum's operations will add over $4 million annually to our local economy.

  With an estimated

200,000 annual visitors (independent of Playland attendees), the Museum will be self-sustaining though fundraising, memberships, admission, and other revenue-generating

activities.  WCM is prepared to invest millions of privately raised dollars to

improve the infrastructure (this is electric, plumbing, HVAC etc.) of the historic Playland Bathhouses to make them habitable.

  Studies from the Association of Children's Museum show that

children's museums are the economic anchors of revitalization projects in many of the communities in which they are built.

What is the “Museum Without Walls” program? Even before the walls are up, the Museum is providing educational outreach programming for a variety of community-based organizations. The Museum Without Walls program partners with such organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs; Family Services of Westchester, and Port Chester Carver Center. Funding for these programs come from corporate and foundation grants. Since its official kick-off in February 2009, the Museum Without Walls program has served over 40 community centers and school groups. 

Westchester Children’s Museum educator and a student during a lesson on solar-wind power

For more information, please visit us online: www.DiscoverWCM.org

3 Barker Avenue, 3rd Fl. | White Plains, NY 10601 |T 914-421-5050 | F 914-421-5052 | Info@discoverWCm.org |