Cape group seeking museum for children

Thirteen residents met Wednesday night to discuss whether Cape Girardeau needs a children's museum.

Martha Brown, who works in the city planning department, organized the meeting at the Cape Girardeau Public Library after attending a children's museum planning meeting in Normal, Ill., in August. She thinks Cape Girardeau needs a children's museum as well.

The organizational meeting was held to gauge community interest in the project.

"I think this would be a wonderful opportunity to really educate our children," said Michelle Dynneson, a stay-at-home mom.

Tim Arbeiter, executive director of Old Town Cape, would like to see the museum in downtown Cape Girardeau and possibly partner with the Red House Interpretive Center.

"It could be a package deal," he said.

Russell Grammer, a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary, said the community needs a children's museum and that Cape Girardeau is a perfect place for such a museum because of the area's rich history.

Susie Keller, a preschool teacher who recently moved to Cape Girardeau from Denver, said she made a lot of friends at the Denver children's museum. It was a great place for stay-at-home moms to take their children during the day, she said.

Southeast Missouri State University tried in the past to get a children's museum started. So did the city of Jackson.

"Unfortunately, it kind of dissolved," said Robyn Mainor, a docent with the Cape River Heritage Museum.

Brown's goal is to have a low-level museum operational in donated space by the start of the summer and then expand into a bigger space.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 9. For more information, call Brown at 651-5263.

ameyer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127