The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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VIDEO: Children's Museum's New Location

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  • Terran Filter takes his mom, Susan, and borther, Gabriel, on a spin at the newly opened Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota. John Cross

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  • The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota is now in a new temporary location at 121 E. Cherry Street in what formerly served as a bank. John Cross

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  • A former bank building at 121 E. Cherry Street opened Wednesday as the new location of the Southern Minnesota Children's Museum. John Cross

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  • Youngsters explore some of the attractions at the newly re-opened Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota. John Cross

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February 2, 2012

(VIDEO) Southern Minnesota Children's Museum opens in new temporary location

By Robb Murray The Free Press

MANKATO — Abby Tibodeau was at home checking out the latest Facebook updates when she had an epiphany that would sound familiar to any kid.

“Kids,” she thought, “I know what we’re gonna do today.”

All “Phineas and Ferb” references aside, that Facebook update added some spice to her day because it announced that the Southern Minnesota Children’s Museum was finally open in its newest temporary location — a downtown building that used to be bank at the corner of Cherry and Second streets.

Tibodeau, a mother of two who has been a fan since the museum was set up at the former Pier I Imports location, said she’s happy to have it back. It gives the stay-at-home mom a chance to get the kids out and engage with the community.

“We like to change up the scenery once in a while,” she said. “It’s great to have different experiences for the kids.”

The new location is technically temporary, but staff on site said they plan to be at the old bank building for about a year.

And that’s OK, they said, because the location, even though they’re still looking for a permanent home, is pretty good.

It’s in the heart of downtown in a building that, while it might need a coat of paint and steam cleaning on the downstairs carpets, is in remarkable shape and ready for the pounding the toddler set is sure to give it.

But that’s why it’s there. And on Thursday, the collection of kids using it put the play lab equipment through its paces.

Giant blue blocks that resemble Tinker Toys litter the main-room floor. On a tiled floor, kids are playing with paint. A play farm site is set up in what looks like it could have been a loan officer’s office. Another area has a puppy theme. The van, a popular item since the museum’s inception, remains.

The museum continues to raise money in its journey to find a permanent  home in Mankato. For now, though, their focus is the bank building where, down the road, they’ll expand to the basement, where a giant empty room awaits.

“We think it’s a great space,” said Sara Steinbach, the museum’s operations manager. “And it’s good to be a part of the downtown revitalization.”

A permanent location has not been found. But Steinbach said the museum would love to remain downtown.

Mom Nicole Rediger, however, said the old location was a little easier on her gasoline bill.

“I prefer the mall location, but I live in Eagle Lake,” she said.

Coming to the museum is a nice respite. Plus, it gives her ideas of play-time projects she can do at home. She’s also very happy with the play lab toys and the exhibits, and says it offers her children variety.

Plus, there’s the whole social thing.

“You get out, you’re around other parents, the kids are around other kids,” she said. “I’m excited to have it up and running again.”

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