[Featured Image: Submitted Photo – Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota – Mankato Clinic Tree of Forts]
After more than six months of closure due to COVID-19, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) will reopen Oct. 1 with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity. Families and children will be able to play on Wednesdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Hours and days of operation may be expanded upon demand.
“Play is vital to the healthy development of children,” said Louise Dickmeyer, CEO of CMSM, in a press release. “It offers such a rich, engaging experience, and we are incredibly excited to reopen the museum to our members and visitors once again. We have taken many steps to create a safe and playful environment for our guests and look forward to seeing our returning families!”
In accordance with state and federal guidelines, CMSM will operate at 25 percent capacity, which translates to 132 guests at any given time. If that number is reached, no additional guests will be allowed in until space opens up. Museum staff will work diligently to clean high-touch surfaces during play time.
Play is vital to the healthy development of children. It offers such a rich, engaging experience, and we are incredibly excited to reopen the museum to our members and visitors.Louise Dickmeyer CMSM CEO
All visitors ages 5 and up will be required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times, indoors and outdoors. For the safety of guests and staff, the museum reserves the right to deny admittance to anyone unwilling or unable to comply with the mask mandate (including those with medical conditions). Masks will be available for purchase in the Museum Gift Shop.
According to Dickmeyer, financial support is needed now more than ever. As a way to compensate for the time the museum was closed, members have the option to extend their membership for six months at no additional cost. However, they can also choose to renew their membership at the regular rate as a way to support the museum. Anyone interested in making a donation can visit the museum’s website.
