What's happening: The Imagination Factory Children's Museum in Iron Mountain has exceeded a $50,000 fundraising goal through the crowdfunding website Patronicity, qualifying for matching monies from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The money will be used to renovate a former elementary-middle school into expanded museum space and a community center.
Background: The Imagination Factory Children's Museum was established in 2020 on the second floor of the former Iron Mountain Middle School. The Imagination Factory Children's Museum has outgrown its present facility.
Expansion plans: The Children's Museum will be relocated from its current 3,000 square foot space into a 13,000-square-foot first-floor location featuring five exhibit rooms, a party room, movement room, family resource center, commercial kitchen and Gus Macker Cafe. A Tiny Town exhibit, featuring a village green and community buildings, is planned as well. The second floor will be renovated to host activities, programs and trainings for students in grades 5 to 12. Also planned is a training room with space for 120 individuals, and four training breakout rooms. The third floor will be used for office space, catering and public forum space to accommodate 150 individuals.
What's next: Fundraising runs through April 3, 2025. To donate, go to:
Tiny Town Comes Alive!
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.