POTSDAM -- Local and state officials have shown their support with the opening of North Country Children’s Museum off Raymond Street.

“The hard work and dedication of the museum’s volunteers has paid off with the opening of this wonderful new community resource,” Potsdam Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler said. “The partnerships developed between public and private entities will promote tourism, STEAM education and economic development in Potsdam.”

“Congratulations to Potsdam on the opening of the North Country Children's Museum,” St. Lawrence County Legislature Chair Kevin Acres said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to be exposed to science, math, technology and engineering in a fun, interactive way which will stimulate and foster future interest in these enterprises. This would not have been possible without support and contributions from NYS, NYPA, the RVRDA and National Grid.”

The museum, a non-profit organization formed in 2012, was organized by a group of educators whose collective vision was to create a cultural and educational center for families in the region. They developed a Museums Without Walls program that made weekly stops at the Clarkson University Bookstore during the school year, and festival appearances throughout the region during the summer. The pop-up workshops offered engaging, interactive and creative programs for children, encouraging STEAM learning.

The project to create a permanent home for the museum called for the purchase of a building in Potsdam, exhibit design, construction and installation, building renovations and infrastructure upgrades. The museum, which is expecting to open its doors to the public later this month in the “big red barn” that housed Sperling’s Furniture many years ago, will create three new full-time positions.

"The North Country Children's Museum's new home is great news for our community,” said Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa. “Its programs have been embraced by our community, and this new space will enable even more families to enjoy the exhibits and ignite thought and creativity. I am thrilled that the state could help make this new attraction become a reality and commend all the hard work that has gone into making this community asset a reality.”

“This is a wonderful announcement for the North Country,” said Judge Eugene L. Nicandri, NYPA trustee and resident of Massena. “As both a NYPA board member and a resident of St. Lawrence County, I take a special pride in seeing these types of impactful projects reach completion. Young people in the North Country will now have a permanent place to learn about science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math and NYPA is proud to help interest more children and more New Yorkers in these important fields.”

Clarkson University President and North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Anthony Collins said, “The North Country Children’s Museum represents the most meaningful kind of investment we can make in our future by giving our children new educational opportunities to find excitement in hands-on learning and minds-on interactive experiences. As a new destination that will deliver high-quality experiences to visitors and residents alike, the NCCM is helping to elevate global recognition of the North Country as one of the special places on the planet to visit, live, work and study.”

“With the support of the Power Authority, and through our partnership with the County IDA, we are undertaking a variety of economic and community development activities in St. Lawrence County. As a result, projects like the North Country Children’s Museum are able to develop new facilities, which will have a positive and lasting impact in the region,” said St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency Chairman Robert M. McNeil, also a member of the Northern New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board, and a former St. Lawrence County legislator and county treasurer.

“The North Country Children’s Museum will provide a place for children and families to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math and other items in an engaging and fun atmosphere. This museum will benefit Potsdam and the North Country because it will help to attract visitors to the community while also providing an interactive space for families to spend time together,” Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said.

“The new North Country Children's Museum will offer a fun and interactive STEAM learning experience for all children, demonstrating to them the exciting careers they can be a part of when they grow up,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Thanks to a significant investment from New York State, this museum will be a world-class attraction for both tourists and North Country residents.”

“The Power Authority is invested in supporting the North Country through a variety of economic development programs,” said Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of NYPA. He said the museum was an ideal beneficiary of NYPA’s Northern New York Power Proceeds program. “I’m excited to see that this wonderful new museum for children and visitors alike is now ready to open its doors to the public.”

North Country Children’s Museum Executive Director Sharon Vegh Williams, said, “We are so grateful for the tremendous support we have received from New York State. The museum has been running as a traveling Museum Without Walls since 2012, and we are delighted to be opening doors in our permanent facility. Funding through NY State has made this possible.”

The North Country Children’s Museum emphasizes hands-on, minds-on learning through exhibits that celebrate the cultural and geographic resources of the region. Exhibits include “Adirondack Waterplay,” “Interactive Maple Tree,” “Early Childhood Playspace,” “Kids’ Co-op Store,” “STEAM Power,” and “Construction Zone.” The museum also has space for changing programs. In creating engaging, fun and memorable educational experiences, it provides space for children to try on the role of scientist, engineer and artist.

The permanent establishment of the museum—which offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math oriented educational programming to children aged 12 and under and their families—was directly supported by New York State with $260,000 in funding.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) provided $140,000 for the project and the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency, supported by NYPA funds, provided the museum with $75,000 from its Community Development and Environmental Improvement program. Empire State Development (ESD) is supported the project with a capital grant of $120,000, recommended by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council during Round 6 of the governor's Regional Economic Development Council initiative. National Grid supported the museum with $50,000 from its Main Street Revitalization program. The museum received $28,000 from the Alcoa Foundation. The Grassroots Fund contributed $10,000, and Community Bank NA contributed $5,000.

For more information about the North Country Children’s Museum, including hours of operation, on the North Country Children’s Museum, visit www.northcountrychildrensmuseum.org and follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram.