For Immediate Release:
August 13, 2024
Contact:
Marie Cheek
Community Relations Coordinator
Culture & Heritage Museums
www.chmuseums.org
803.909.7312 mcheek@chmuseums.org
Culture & Heritage Museums receives award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in support of new early learner project at Museum of York County
ROCK HILL, S.C. – In a recent announcement from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Culture & Heritage Museums is one of 115 nationwide recipients of the IMLS’ Museums for America program, one of its largest museum grant funding opportunities. The awarded $64,470 will be used in Museum of York County’s design and creation of an early learner environment that is centered on the natural history of the Carolina Piedmont.
“Camp Piedmont: An Early Learner Playscape” is Museum of York County’s proposed nature-themed interactive project with touch-based activities that will meet the developmental needs of children from birth through the age of six. Guided by South Carolina Early Childhood Standards, the exhibit will help children become kindergarten-ready while learning about Carolina Piedmont ecosystems.
“We are thrilled to receive these funds from IMLS to help us further our mission by creating a space designed specifically with our youngest visitors in mind. Our hope is that this new exhibit will allow early learners and their families to not only learn about the natural world, but also be inspired to go explore their own back yards.” — Sarah Lewis, Site Director for Museum of York County and Main Street Children’s Museum.
Based on the approved grant timeline and budget, Culture & Heritage Museums estimates the project will be completed by Fall of 2027. Camp Piedmont: An Early Learner Playscape is planned to be installed in the current location of Museum of York County’s Tot Town: Inspired by the Artwork of Vernon Grant, which will remain open and operational until late in the project timeline.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced on Aug. 8, 2024 in a press release that their Museums for America program has awarded over $23M in support for “museums of all sizes and disciplines in strategic, project-based efforts to serve the public.” Culture & Heritage Museums is one of three organizations in South Carolina to receive IMLS’ Museums for America grant funding.
About Museum of York County: Museum of York County highlights the natural history of the Carolina Piedmont through award-winning exhibits, planetarium shows, and special programs. The major permanent exhibit “Ice Age Carolinas: Exploring Our Pleistocene Past” is a journey-back-in-time experience that features the strange, gigantic, and fantastic beasts that once roamed the Carolinas. The Naturalist Center, with over 2,500 natural history specimens, provides hands-on opportunities for self-guided discovery and educational programs. The Settlemyre Planetarium presents a changing array of full-dome digital planetarium shows. The Museum Store has a selection of local handmade pottery and goods, locally produced food products, and nature-themed gifts. Outside, the museum has a picnic facility and a three-quarter mile nature trail.
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