Upcoming Events >

To be announced


Location

West Park Mall
(across from Pasta House)
Cape Girardeau MO 63703

Email:
staff@discoveryplayhouse.org

Phone: (573) 334-0416

Mailing Address

Southeast Missouri Children’s Museum
PO Box 1251
Cape Girardeau MO  63702


Welcome to discoveryplayhouse.org

Discovery Playhouse News!

The Discovery Playhouse is moving on up!!!
Downtown Cape, that is

A new beginning – a new location

Tax Credits have been approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development for the renovation of a historic building in downtown Cape Girardeau. Renovations are underway on our new location at 502 Broadway, at the corner of Middle Street. We hope to be open in our newly renovated space sometime in the early summer of 2008. The new building has a total of 18,000 square feet and is located in the heart of the Broadway corridor in downtown Cape Girardeau. With the help of a number of sponsors, new exhibits are being developed for our new space, including a 1952 fire truck that the kids can climb into!!!

Raising money

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has approved state tax credits for businesses and individuals with a business interest.  Contributors to the renovation work can get 50% of their contribution back in state tax credits.

Money also needs to be raised to hire an executive director, who can develop programs and activities for the kids to enjoy.

Help make The Discovery Playhouse a fantastic place for families to play and learn together!!!  It can’t happen without help from our community.  Please be a part of it by contributing to this great effort.  The Discovery Playhouse is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible.

Print and send this form with your donation to:

The Discovery Playhouse
P O Box 1251
Cape Girardeau  Mo.  63702

Tax Credits Approved!!!!

Great news!! The Missouri Department of Economic Development has approved $142,000 in State tax credits for the renovation of 101 William to provide a new home for the Discovery Playhouse.  This means that any business interest, including limited liability companies, partnerships, and corporations, donating funds for the renovation will receive 50% of the value of the donation in State tax credits.  This is a great incentive for contributions.

Plans for the renovation are underway and include new bathrooms, a new entrance, sprinkler system and heating/cooling units.  The Southeast Missouri Children’s Museum has a LONG term lease on the building, which includes a first option to purchase.  The building is perfect for a children’s museum since it is an open space which can accommodate a wide variety of exhibits – and it has high ceilings, with open rafters and beams.  The location is great – at the end of Main Street and William Street.  The building is between Old St. Vincents Church and the Red House in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Several companies and organizations are currently working on new exhibits for the Discovery Playhouse’s new home.  The Cape Girardeau Fire Department has a 1952 fire truck which will anchor an exhibit which will also include fire safety tips for kids.  The kids village will include a Dominos Pizza Parlor and a Montgomery Bank ATM, among others.  Many other exhibits are in the works!!!!

Plans for the renovated building include a birthday party/classroom which will be available for special events.  Plans are underway for special themed birthday parties – so stay tuned.

The Discovery Playhouse needs your support NOW!!!!  In addition to raising funds for the renovations to the building, money also needs to be raised to fund a permanent Executive Director position.  Being able to hire a full-time Director is crucial for the development of programs and activities that will really make the Discovery Playhouse the great place it can be. 

In the meantime, the Discovery Playhouse is located at West Park Mall – come visit us this summer.  Good attendance records are a great way to be able to get sponsorships and grant funding.  So, help us out by coming to the Discovery Playhouse – your kids will thank you!!!

Fundraising
 
We are still looking for a few good people to help organize fundraising events.  PLEASE let us know if you are interested.

The Discovery Playhouse
West Park Mall – by Pasta House


T-SHIRTS

A new stock of t-shirts in adult, children and toddler sizes is available at the Discovery Playhouse.  The children’s and toddler’s t-shirts are $6/each, adult t-shirts are $8.


Discovery projects: Special events, such as art classes, science experiments and website design and maintenance.  These will be 1-2 hour classes.  Space will be limited.  Please sign up early.  A small fee will be charged, depending on the class.  Parents will be able to drop their kids off for the classes. Click here for more class information.

We are adding new exhibits and activities on a regular basis - We now have computers with educational games.

Become a Founding Member!!

A donation of $100 makes you a founding member.  As a founding member, you can go to Creative Ewe Pottery, 1912 Independence, Cape Girardeau, Mo.  and make a ceramic tile, which will be displayed at the Discovery Playhouse.  Make checks payable to:  Southeast Missouri Children’s Museum. Click here for additional sponsorship information.

Volunteer!

We need volunteers to help staff the museum.  Click here for the Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet. Print and send completed form to:

Southeast Missouri Children’s Museum
PO Box 1251
Cape Girardeau, MO  63702

A Missouri non-profit corporation. We are also a 501c3 tax exempt organization.

Board of Directors:

  • Martha Brown
    City Planner
    City of Cape Girardeau
  • Kevin Priester
    Water Systems Manager
    Alliance Water Systems
  • Sharon Anderson
    Youth Services Director
    Cape Girardeau Public Library
  • Jackie Wortmann
    Coordinator, NASA Educator Resource Center
    Southeast Missouri State University
  • Debbie Simmons
    Regional Retail Manager
    Montgomery Bank
  • Christina Mershon
    Assistant Director, Extended and Continuing Education
    Southeast Missouri State University
  • Jennifer Kornblum
    Attorney
    Drury Southwest, Inc.
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