The Children’s Museum of the Ohio Valley (CMOV) is our first stop on our weekly local business feature! The CMOV is a place where children from ages two to ten can come and enjoy exhibits that are geared to encourage independent learning. The new executive director, Terra Crews, is very excited with the upcoming changes taking place at the CMOV. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Journalism from West Virginia University. She has worked with non-profit organizations in the past in PR and started the “Tinker garden” which is an outdoor play classroom for preschool aged children and brought that program to the Ohio Valley. The CMOV is applying their mission through their exhibits and events by allowing the community access to programs they normally would not by making them more affordable. “All of our events are general admission, five dollars a person which is very affordable compared to other amusement parks or even the movies,” said Crews. Additionally, their exhibits teach independent learning through play. For example, the kinetic sand in the “MAKEshop” teaches transformation by “stomping the dinosaurs into the sand.”
One of the biggest changes is the new building located in Centre Market. Crews said about the move, “My goal is to be moved into that building within the next two years.” She wants the building to be ready to open by the time that their contract is up with the old Downtown building. Another goal Crews has for the CMOV is to get more schools from outside the valley to come the Children’s Museum for their school trips. On top of these she would like to have more free programs for the community to take advantage of.
The CMOV has several upcoming events that you can be a part of! On June 17th they will be hosting a Father’s Day Celebration with superheroes, Spiderman and Ironman, and will have a father/child craft. On July 15th they are having a Trolls party with a craft and invite you to come meet your favorite trolls! The Children’s Museum is also putting on summer camp ongoing four different weeks. This year’s summer camps will be different from the past because they will be at the CMOV instead of the Fresh Air Farm or Grand Vue Park. Crews is excited to have the camps indoors so that programming will not be interrupted due to inclement weather. In future years, Crews would like to have the camp both at the museum and outdoors to give options between camp programs. For more information on the camps go to their website, http://www.cmovkids.org/summer-camps.html.
The CMOV will also be presenting a Gala event in September with a circus theme. This event will serve as a fundraiser and bring in sponsors. It will be held at The Capitol Theatre and capped off at 200 attendees to keep it a small event. The sponsors they hope to bring in will help keep the baseline funds that allow the museum to stay a success. The Gala will bring attention to the new building and the projects they hope to launch. Crews is also working with TSG to put together a campaign video for the Children’s Museum to present at the Gala. Future Galas will have a different theme every year and will showcase beautiful theme-oriented decorations.
The Children’s Museum is open Thursdays through Saturday 10 AM-5 PM and Sundays 12-5 PM. General admission is five dollars per person with children under one free. They also have several membership options with different benefits such as, unlimited admission for your family, free parking, discounts on parties and summer camps, and so much more! They are located at 1000 Main Street Wheeling, WV 26003 and can be contacted by email at cmovkids@gmail.com or phone number, 304-214-5437.
