BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – The North Country Children's Museum is a few steps closer to its fundraising goal for its multi-million dollar second-floor expansion project.

The museum recently held a fundraising gala which brought in $15,000 to go towards the project, organizers report.

“The project total is $3,500,000 and we have secured $3,000,000 so far (which includes some NCCM cash reserves),” NCCM executive director Sharon Vegh Williams told North Country This Week.

Lead sponsors for the gala were Northern Federal Credit Union, United Renewable Energy, SLIC Network Solutions, and St. Lawrence University.

Project architect, Brooks Washburn, presented slides on the expansion to the 100 guests in attendance.

Ballroom dance instructor Megan Smith taught classic dance steps with live music from Oscar Sarmiento's band.

Work on the expansion has been underway, with one phase complete and another in process.

“Because building and renovation costs went up 120% since our pre-COVID estimates, we phased the project so that we could get everything moving forward without delay,” Williams said.

Williams said Phase 1, which is the exhibit design done by Toronto-based Blue Rhino Design is complete. Phase 2 which is the building renovation and construction with Northern Tier Contracting of Gouverneur is underway and expected to be completed by December 2023, Williams said.

The last phase, Phase 3, will focus on exhibit fabrication and installation by Ravenswood Studio of Chicago. The executive director said that work is expected to start in 2024, but is also dependent on further fundraising efforts.

The expansion will double floor space to 7,000 square feet, with the second floor being largely geared for children 8 to 12 years old.

Planned exhibits include a downsized Amish cottage, a maple tree climber with a bubble lookout at the top through the roof, a sound lab in partnership with the Akwesasne community and Crane school of music.

History, impact

North Country Children’s Museum has come a long way since its start as a traveling museum in 2012.

The museum, which now occupies the first floor of the “Red Barn” at 10 Raymond Street, features interactive exhibits focusing on STEAM concepts, environment, art and local culture.

NCCM draws about 20,000 visitors a year, which includes thousands of children who visit on field trips, BOCES students, college interns in academic programs, college professors, parents and senior citizens as well. About 40,000 annual visitors are projected once the expansion work is complete.

Discounted memberships are available for low income families, with about 20 percent of its 600 member families participating in the program.

A Clarkson economic impact study estimated that the museum brings about $700,000 annually to the local economy directly.

How to help

The museum is still seeking funding in a capital campaign to cover the total cost, including donations from the public. The project will be partially paid for with $1.4 million in state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding secured through the village.

To learn more about the project and how you can support it, visit https://northcountrychildrensmuseum.org/second-floor-expansion/ .