The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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October 16, 2009

Children’s castle arises at mall

Children's Museum promoters hope to have permanent location by spring

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — The 18-wheeler backed up to the loading dock on the west side of the Madison East Center on Friday morning wasn’t out of the ordinary.

But its cargo was.

As volunteers unloaded carts labeled “Great Hall,” “Dragon Tower” and “The Keep,” it was readily apparent this particular load wasn’t a typical shipment.

“It’s called ‘The Amazing Castle,’” said Peter Olson, director of the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. “Kids will want to come every week.”

And they will have the chance — once it’s assembled, at least.

The Amazing Castle is a traveling exhibit developed several years ago by the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul. Since then, the exhibit has traveled the western hemisphere, from one of the world’s largest children’s museums — Papalote Museo del Nino — in Mexico City, to museums in Ottawa, St. Louis, Atlanta and Kalamazoo.

The nearly 2,000-square-foot structure is focused on the idea of community connectedness. Built for children ages 10 and younger, the castle features several different areas (jester, gardener, cook, blacksmith, etc.) that each have their own activities and highlight the importance of individual roles within a community.

And, like all good castles, there’s a resident dragon — albeit a drowsy one, named Herald, who won’t wake up until visitors can match the castle inhabitants with the tools of their trade.

“We want to give families easy access to quality, hands-on learning experiences over the winter months,” said Karen Wahlstrom, a museum board member.

The castle will be erected in a vacant storefront adjacent to the Sports Institute and will open to the public on Nov. 19 during a free kickoff event. Families and children will have an opportunity to explore the castle while students from Minnesota State University and Gustavus Adolphus College conduct activities. A separate fundraiser for adults and stakeholders will be held the same night for $25 per ticket.

Olson said the exhibit will be on display at the Madison East Center until May (family memberships for the entire season will be available).

He also said that by that time, he’s hoping the museum will have secured a permanent location.

“We’re viewing this as the last big thing we do before we get a permanent site,” Olson said. “After this is done, we’re hoping to be on our way.”

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will also be lending a portion of the castle to the St. Peter Creative Play Place, a mini-children’s museum located on the bottom floor of the St. Peter Community Center.

For more information, or to volunteer for castle set-up, visit www.cmsouthernmn.org.

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