Children’s Discovery Museum’s new exhibit provides a new world experience to children

Image courtesy of the Children’s Discovery Museum

NORMAL, Ill. – The Children’s Discovery Museum will open a new second-floor exhibit, “From Farm to a Healthy Me,” aimed at connecting the Bloomington-Normal community through interactive learning and play.

The museum will offer a sneak peek of the exhibit on April 6, followed by an official opening on April 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Beth Whisman, director of cultural arts, said the exhibit is designed to give back to the community while educating visitors about agriculture.

“The purpose of our new exhibit is to serve the larger community and help them understand agriculture,” Whisman said.

The previous exhibit was removed after it no longer effectively told a cohesive story, making way for a redesigned experience.

Whisman said several donors contributed to the project, raising just under $4 million to bring the exhibit to life. Lead donors include the McLean County Farm Bureau, Compeer Financial, the Town of Normal and local farmers.

Community feedback played a key role in shaping the new exhibit, and residents have expressed excitement about the updates.

Whisman said the exhibit will provide children with educational resources and help them better understand their connection to the community.

“It will connect them to the community they live in, even if they don’t know what those connections are,” Whisman said.

The exhibit offers Bloomington-Normal residents and first-time visitors an opportunity to explore a new, immersive environment at the museum.