UPWARDS & ONWARDS. Since reopening at its new location in downtown Eau Claire, the Children's Museum has seen growth – and growing pains.

The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire recently released an update talking community impact, changes, and its capital campaign since beginning operations at its new multi-million dollar location at 126 N. Barstow St. in January 2023. Since that time, CMEC has welcomed more than 160,000 visitors, hired a new CEO, implemented expanded hours, and gained ground on its capital debt.

In a newsletter from the organization sent by CEO Mike Lee – who stepped into the interim role after former CEO Michael McHorney resigned in November 2023, and accepted the full-time CEO role in March – one of the most significant changes CMEC has seen since its reopening was transitioning daycare operations from CMEC to Peace Tree last fall.

“All of the programs, all of the possibilities, would not be in place, if it weren’t for passionate, visionary donor investors who are supporting the new CMEC facility.” 

The organization also acknowledged financial struggles during CMEC’s first year, as well as the positive growth since. “While having a significant community impact, CMEC experienced some financial struggles in the first year,” the recent newsletter stated. “Like any good business plan, adaptations need to be made. One major change was transitioning daycare operations from CMEC to Peace Tree in the fall of 2023.”

CMEC and Peace Tree originally partnered to run the daycare at the new location. Peace Tree now leases the space and runs the daycare independently, serving more than 50 students each day.

While some of the award-winning building’s interior features ran into bumps in its initial year – among the problems were faulty or broken play equipment – several of the exhibits have since been updated, and new ones have been added, including the Sun & Universe and Mars exhibits on the second floor; Nano Exhibit in the lobby; additional activity tables; and more.

Nano exhibit.

One of the new outdoor musical instruments.

Several more exhibits are in the works as well: a LEGO-themed exhibit, a coffee-themed exhibit, new outdoor musical instruments, and more. 

CMEC's operating hours recently expanded for both members and the public, as did its membership options earlier this year which included expanded family and grandparent membership benefits.

The newsletter also shared a capital campaign update. “Thanks to the new facility, more children than ever can experience the greater variety of ever-changing hands-on exhibits, and expand even more aspects of their development, which is so essential in the critical early years,” the newsletter stated. “All of the programs, all of the possibilities, would not be in place, if it weren’t for passionate, visionary donor investors who are supporting the new CMEC facility.”

Since launching its $15 million capital campaign in 2019, nearly $8 million has been raised. In the next five years, the campaign hopes to raise another $7 million-plus. The campaign aims to ensure CMEC’s path toward a sustainable future serving the community’s youth and families.

If interested in donating to the campaign, visit childrensmuseumec.com/capital-campaign to do so or learn more. There are incentives for gifts between $1,000-$1 million, including name recognition on the Donor Wall, a lifetime membership, and more.

Learn more about the Children's Museum of Eau Claire (126 N. Barstow St.) online • Keep up with CMEC on Facebook • Learn about the capital campaign online • Learn about memberships online