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April 6, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dee Dee McDevitt, Director of Marketing & Sales
[email protected]
(630) 637-8000 ext. 2600
DuPage Children’s Museum Will Reopen This Summer
When life gives you lemons…
Back in January, DuPage Children’s Museum was forced to close temporarily when a water pipe burst and
caused extensive damage to all three floors of the Museum. That was the catastrophic news. But we all know
the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and that is exactly what the Museum is doing.
There have been some questions regarding why it is taking DCM so long to reopen and what progress has
been made. These are great questions. While it may feel as if DCM is taking a while to reopen, the process is
actually moving along very well. The flooding happened in early January and the first month was spent drying
out, cleaning up, and conducting environmental testing to ensure the building was mold-free. At the same time,
staff was furiously working to find, design, and build a temporary location for all to enjoy. The second month
was spent opening the temporary location at the Westfield Fox Valley Shopping Center and working closely
with the insurance company. Now well into the third month, the real fun is just beginning.
“I have had many thoughtful and time-consuming planning meetings with DCM staff, board, adjustors,
architects, contractors, and exhibit designers. I am thrilled to report that we have secured an incredibly talented
professional team to begin the construction,” said Sarah Orleans, President & CEO, DuPage Children’s
Museum. “In the next few weeks, people will begin to notice the presence of construction trucks and trailers in
DCM’s parking lot, confirming the rebuild has swung into action. The Museum is going to be better than ever. I
can assure you, it will be worth the wait.”
When all is said and done, the cost to recover and reopen is expected to be at least three million dollars.
Insurance will cover the damaged portions of the building and exhibits but an effort to augment and update
other areas is required to create a consistent and energized space throughout, which presents a gap in
funding. “Plans to enhance and redo several exhibits were slated to happen in 2016. Because of the flood,
those plans have to be expedited to happen now,” explained Cricket Brooks, Senior Manager of Exhibits,
DuPage Children’s Museum.
DCM is working hard to raise $200,000 in donations and is seeking additional grant money to help fill the gap.
To date, $77,844.46 has been donated. DCM has also been issued a matching grant challenge for $50,000
from the MacArthur Foundation, and we have raised $9,852.67 towards the match, with an additional
$40,147.33 to raise by April 15, 2015.
The temporary location, DCM@The Mall, continues to draw large crowds, reaching new audiences and
delighting all who walk through the doors. The site also continues to be a platform for fundraising by not
charging admission, but accepting donations. In addition, the Museum’s offsite programs are still very active in
the community and include Learning Labs, Play to Learn, Family Math or Science Nights, and Professional
Development.
The lemonade isn’t mixed quite yet, but all the ingredients are in place and steadily coming together. We will
reopen this summer, and the community will be notified as soon as DCM confirms an exact grand reopening
celebration date. DCM is grateful for the community’s incredible support and looks forward to seeing you soon.
Visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org for updates and information.
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About DuPage Children’s Museum
DuPage Children’s Museum is more than a Museum...we’re a force for early learning! Via interactive exhibits
and programs that make learning fun for children and adults playing together, DuPage Children’s Museum
helps develop curiosity, creativity, thinking, and problem solving in young children. The Museum is located at
301 N. Washington Street in Naperville, Illinois, a quick walk from the Naperville Metra Train station. Visit
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or call (630) 637-8000.
About Westfield Fox Valley
Located in the western suburbs of Illinois, Westfield Fox Valley is a family-friendly destination for all things
fashion, dining, and entertainment. The shopping center, positioned in the Naperville/Aurora corridor, offers
family fun events and interactive experiences alongside a well-rounded retail line-up. The center boasts more
than 150 stores for your every need, including Macy’s, Dry Goods, Bath and Body Works, Brighton, Charming
Charlie, Pandora, and many more. With a wide range of dining, including both convenient, casual eateries and
restaurants such as Panera Bread, the center provides something for everyone. For more information, please
call (630) 851 7200 or visit www.westfield.com/foxvalley.