Long-awaited opening date set for Modesto Children’s Museum. See when, ticket prices
The people behind the Modesto Children’s Museum are dedicated to play — so much so that they’ve even gotten playful with the venue’s opening date.
The much-anticipated debut of the new downtown museum is set for Sept. 28, as in 9-28, matching up to its 928 11th St. address, according to a press release. The doors will open at 11 a.m. that day.
“Affectionately known as MoChiMu (pronounced MO-CHEE-MOO), the museum transforms 12,000 square feet of downtown Modesto into a destination for imagination, curiosity and lifelong learning for Central Valley residents and visitors,” the release said. It’s the first such museum in Stanislaus County.
“We’re over-the-moon excited to embark on this exciting adventure,” Chelsie Webster, the museum’s chief executive officer, said in the release. “The Modesto Children’s Museum started as a dream three families had to bring child-led exploration and learning right here to the heart of the Central Valley.”
Those three couples are Chelsea and Ryan Foy, Jena and Ryan Brady and Katie and Jake Barber.
Walls expanded, added in building
The two-story space previously housed the Heart & Soul coffeehouse. Construction included expanding some of the walls on the first and second floors to provide more space for exhibits, as well as adding walls, according to a previous article in The Bee. In addition, the front sidewalk area has expanded into the road.
There also will be a store inside selling educational toys, Modesto Children’s Museum products and more.
The museum promises adventure for visitors of all ages with interactive exhibits, according to the release.
The museum will include water, air and light labs; an art studio/maker space, and areas called Valley Proud, Tall Tales, Adventure and Little Rainbows.
All of the exhibits have been custom built and include hands-on experiences for visitors.
“(It will be) very tactile, very sensory,” Webster said in a May article in The Bee. “You’re going to walk into something and you’re going to be immersed in the experience.”
Tickets will go on sale soon, the release said, with admission at $15 for ages 1 and up and free for under age 1 with an adult ticket. The museum also will offer $3 advance tickets “thanks to Museums for All, which ensures affordable museum access for CalFresh recipients.”
People can stay updated by subscribing to emails at modestochildrensmuseum.org, the release said, or follow on Instagram or Facebook to learn when tickets are available to purchase.
This story was originally published September 6, 2023 at 9:30 AM.
