The London Children's Museum's new home at 100 Kellogg Lane will include a new community hub, thanks to a $150,000 provincial grant.
The Children's Museum received the six-figure capital boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The money will allow the museum to create a flexible exhibit space at its new home, which will be called The Annex. It will serve as an event venue for travelling exhibits, art installations, concerts, and community events.
“Through extensive community consultations, the public identified the need for larger and more accessible community spaces,” said Children’s Museum Board Chair Emily Schinbein. “This exhibit is the direct result of input from over 500 children, families, and partner organizations. It will provide children and families with more inclusive and diverse events and programs at the London Children’s Museum, allowing community members to make meaningful connections and learn from one another.”
The new London Children’s Museum is a $23 million project, with $19 million secured to date. The Annex will be one of eight custom-built exhibits at the new location.
"Throughout design and construction, the museum has focused on gathering the public’s insights for the creation of their new home, reflecting both the broader London community and their own neighbourhood," London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan said at the grant announcement. "I can hardly wait to attend events at The Annex. Thank you to the brilliant leadership at the London Children’s Museum and to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the future of this significant London institution.”
It was announced in May 2018 that the museum had outgrown its current location at 21 Wharncliffe Road - a space it has occupied for 41 years - and would be moving to the fourth floor of Kellogg Lane. The new space offers a 36,000 square feet open-floor plan, 21-foot ceilings, and ample parking. Last summer, the federal government kicked in $2-million toward the new museum.
Construction is expected to be completed this fall.