On June 5th, the Children’s Museum of Richmond became the first children’s museum in the country to open a second location. The new location, called the Children’s Museum of Richmond-Short Pump is located in a 15,500 square foot space in West Broad Village across from Whole Foods Market.

“By opening a second location, the Children’s Museum of Richmond will be able to generate additional revenue that will aid in serving more children throughout Central Virginia, especially those from communities with limited economic resources,” explained Museum Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Pitney.

“We’ve had another location on our radar for quite some time,” said Karen Coltrane, president and CEO. “When it comes to expanding, the Short Pump location made the most sense as it is ideally located in an ever-growing area and is more accessible to the western region of Richmond…”

The new location offers nine areas themed to “iconic children’s literature.” Each area will encourage children to engage in dramatic play and role-playing, both of which are significant in childhood development. In cooperation with Commonwealth Parenting, the museum staff has created their Museum Guide that teaches parents the importance of play and discusses how cognitive, social, language and motor skills are enhanced through play. The publication addresses each station, illustrating to parents what their children are learning and what they can do to enhance the learning experience.

The literature based exhibits include a climbing structure with a Jack and the Beanstalk theme to enhance gross motor skills and release energy, a pirate ship and enchanted castle for imaginative and dramatic play, a safari train for learning self-regulation, and several other exhibits. Mother Goose is the theme of the infant area, conveniently enclosed by a knee wall allowing parents to simultaneously supervise their older children throughout the museum while keeping the littlest ones safely occupied, as well.

Last but not least, the Children’s Museum of Richmond-Short Pump features an art studio much like the one at the central location. “The art studio is the one thing that we wouldn’t dream of changing, and we wanted at least a 1,000 square foot area,” said Coltrane. Every medium you can think of from ribbon to egg cartons is available for children to create their own unique masterpieces. The only time that the entire brain is used at once is when you are creating art; so learning opportunities abound in this studio. “You can never have preschoolers too involved in making art,” commented Coltrane.

New to members at the Short Pump location is the “Stay and Play” program. Parents can register online for 3 hour sessions filled with art, story time and museum floor time. These are drop-off sessions that allow parents time for errands or appointments while their children are involved in enrichment programs.
Be sure to stop by and visit their new location at 2200 Old Brick Rd. Admission is $8 per person or $125 for an annual family membership.

www.ChildrensMuseumofRichmond.org