Press Release: Saint Albans Museum opens new kids’ exhibit

The Saint Albans Museum (SAM) has prepared something big for Saint Albans’s littlest residents—an exhibit space just for children.

The CREATE Kids’ Cove is a St. Albans Bay-themed exhibit space for children, the first of its kind at the museum. The space will provide young museum-goers with the opportunity to learn about ecological conservation, the Bay's native species, and the impact the Bay has had on the history of St. Albans. The exhibit contains a variety of hands-on activities and spaces for children to explore. Some of these include a book nook, a Bay cabin, a STEM center with various activities for children to choose from, and sensory and creative exploration areas. Later this summer, it will also feature a custom archway shaped like the fabled lake monster, Champ.

The museum’s children’s program, known as the CREATE (Crafts, Reading, Exploration, Art, Technology, and Education) program is designed to help children learn about local history in a fun and engaging way. The program consists of weekly summer activities that immerse youth in local historical concepts. During the spring of 2023, SAM received a $15,000 grant from the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (VCTF) to create a permanent exhibit space for children and the CREATE program.

The project was completed with the funds from the VCTF, along with a $2,000 donation from the St. Albans Rotary Club and a private donation from the Garibay family. Valdemar Garibay stated, “My family and I are happy to be a part of helping the museum by bringing in kid activities that promote learning, fun, and imaginative play opportunities. This Cove exhibit is forward thinking and is a great addition to the child-focused resources of the community.” Both the VCTF and the Rotary Club have been instrumental in the completion of the project, and thanks to these community-centered organizations, SAM can continue to deliver educational programs and spaces for local youth.

SAM’s Youth Programs Coordinator and the designer of the children’s exhibit, Riley Gamache, indicates that she hopes the exhibit will inspire children to learn more about how they can protect St. Albans Bay for years to come. “I am hopeful that the space will be immersive and thought-provoking, and that it will inspire the next generation to be stewards for the Bay and its native species,” she states.

The exhibit opened on May 24, 2024, and it is now available to the public during all of SAM’s open hours. The Saint Albans Museum is located at 9 Church St. in Saint Albans, and thanks to a generous donation from Handy Cars, admission will be free during the 2024 season. The museum will be open Wednesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. SAM is looking forward to welcoming visitors into the CREATE Cove, and continuing to provide free and engaging CREATE activities for children throughout the summer.

The Saint Albans Museum is focused on the collection and preservation of historical and cultural material related to the area, and interpreting the collection for the education and enjoyment of the public. To learn more about the Saint Albans Museum, our exhibits, special events, becoming a volunteer, or how to donate, please visit: www.stamuseum.org.

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