Georgia Magazine - September 2021 - 35

Two young visitors piece together a human body at the Children's
Museum of Pooler.
" It's a great way to take a break with the kids when you're
on a road trip, " Daniels says. " We also see visitors from across
the country-New York, Minnesota and all over the place-
who have a few extra hours during a layover at the Savannah/
Hilton Head International Airport. We're easy to get to. "
While the Daniels family provided much of the financial
support early on, they have relied on the community and
community organizations to assist. Local companies brought
their expertise to develop the physical elements of the museum.
" We opened as a private business and are now close to
receiving our nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status, which will give us even
more ability to apply for grants and outside funding, " she says.
" Companies like Edwards Interiors in Rincon undertook the
challenge of building out the exhibitions and then helped us do
the installation in just three months. "
Staff members interact with and guide the young visitors in
experiments, play and creativity-building activities.
" We've designated times for children with special needs
or social anxiety to come in quieter times, and the community
is getting to know us, " Daniels says. " Plus we are now seeing
the same families visit [again] and become part of our museum
family. "
The Children's Museum of Pooler serves children from
toddlers to age 10, but Daniels hopes to expand the age upward
by adding more science and technology exhibitions.
" Opening this museum has been such a blessing for us and
our family, " Daniels says. " It's giving us a chance to help others. "
Children's Museum of Pooler, 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd.,
Suite 589, Pooler. (912) 307-9503. childrensmuseumofpooler.
com.
Cooper Daniels explores geometrical concepts in the Children's Museum
of Pooler's color and light exhibit.
Grassroots community support
When two families envisioned a children's
museum in Augusta, they turned to the community
for support. Valerie Mirshak and her three
children and David and Quentin Hartmann and their
daughter used social media and local publications
to generate awareness and crowd-sourced funding.
" We successfully raised the $10,000 we needed
to open the doors, and the city agreed to lease a
building at Hickman Park for $1 a year so that we
could open Imagination Station, " says Lindsey
Shukla, communications volunteer with the
museum, which opened in 2014. " Now we're also
receiving community grants and other donations,
including support from the Community Foundation
for the Central Savannah River Area. "
The volunteer-run museum encompasses
1,400 square feet and has exhibits that feature
themes such as pre-literacy, sensory motor skills,
art, and health and science. Parents sign up for shifts
Continued on page 37
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35
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF POOLER
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF POOLER
http://childrensmuseumofpooler.com http://childrensmuseumofpooler.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org
Georgia Magazine - September 2021

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