2009 was a great year for Providence Children's Museum! Take a quick look at our biggest accomplishments and some photos of kids at play last year.

1. The mission of
Providence Children’s Museum
is to inspire learning through
active play and exploration.

2. 2009 was a year of …
Tremendous growth
Innovative ideas sprouting and blossoming
Reaching out to cultivate new community
connections and partnerships
While continuing to nurture kids and families
And staying true to the Museum’s roots

3. We served
167,264 total
visitors in 2009
– a new record
by 16 percent!

4. Thirty-six
percent of all
Museum visitors
– more than
60,000 people –
were admitted at
no charge.

5. Forty percent of the $1.7 million
operating budget went to providing
services to low-income children and
families in need.

7. Families Together
served 169 families
in need of positive
shared play and
learning experiences.

8. $210,000 grant from the Economic Recovery Act –
expanded our AmeriCorps team and outreach to after-
school and summer programs at new partner sites

10. We burned our
mortgage!

11. “I have watched
the Museum
expand beautifully.
Great job!”
– Museum visitor

12. Won several
publication awards
from the New
England Museum
Association,
including first place
for our website

13. Hosted five screenings and discussions of the
documentary film “Where Do the Children Play?”
with community partners

14. Launched “PlayWatch,”
a community discussion listserv
about the importance of play

15. “I love the way the
Museum has taken
up this major issue!”
– PlayWatch listserv
subscriber

16. We won the inaugural
Leaders in Innovation Award from the
New England Museum Association
for our advocacy about the importance
of children’s unstructured play.

18. “Play takes time.
The longer they’re
here, the more they
get out of it.” “I learned again
about the value of
play and restricted
TV time.”
– Museum visitors on play

20. “Somehow you know
what kids of all ages
love and provide a
wonderful outlet for
creativity.”
– Museum visitor

21. “Thanks for making
it easy to be a good
mom.”
– Museum visitor

23. “This is the best children's
museum I have ever seen because
it is a true PLAY museum.”
– Dr. Elizabeth Goodenough, scholar, author and
activist in children's studies

25. “This place is
very
important.”
– Museum visitor

26. Providence Children’s Museum
100 South Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 273-5437
www.childrenmuseum.org
Come play, come learn!