County Commission supports Interact Children’s Museum

ELKINS -- The Randolph County Commission approved a funding request from the Interact Children's Museum during its most recent meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.

During an informational presentation to the commission, Interact Children's Museum President Lisa Martin went into detail about all the organization has to offer and talked about ICM's future plans.

"The Interact Children's Museum nurtures childhood development, sparking curiosity, and encouraging critical and creative thinking skills," Martin said. "By investing in our museum, the County Commission will not only support the educational growth of our youth, but also contribute to the overall enrichment of our community."

Unlike traditional museums, children's museums focus on interactive exhibits and learning through creativity and experimentation. Children are encouraged to touch installations, use their imaginations, and explore their surroundings.

Martin told the commission that ICM was currently a mobile museum and that it traveled around the county to school gymnasiums to provide children with interactive exhibits and attractions. This past summer, ICM also took its attractions to several festivals and events in the county.

"We have always, from Day 1, felt that we would eventually be a permanent structure within the area," said Martin. "We are currently operating as a mobile museum and we go where the kids are. But that has never been our long-range plan. Our long-range plan has always been to have a permanent structure."

After looking over many buildings and structures for a long period of time, Martin said she believes ICM may have finally found a place to call home.

"We are currently looking at a property that would require less renovation (than others) and would help us with our commitment to open the doors in 2024," she said.

"Our next step is that we need the building, we need to staff it, and we need to open the doors. We need to have a place where families can come and have some place to go in the winter. We want to be a hub in Randolph County, but we also feel that we will draw people from other areas."

Martin said she believes once the permanent structure for the museum is up and running, it will be something that can help aid the local economy.

"We feel like we will be an attraction that will help the area in an economic sense," said Martin. "If you come to visit the museum, say from Pocahontas County or Pendleton County, you're going to eat. And someone may be spending the night here if they come from far enough away. "

Martin said she came to the County Commission last year to seek help in sponsoring a specific event, but wanted to see if the ICM could be put into the commission's budget this time around.

"With a budget item, every year we approve our budget, so it can be hit or miss," said Commission President David Kesling. "Next year's budget is going to be unpredictable, and I dread it because of the TIF. But we know we will continue to get our hotel-motel tax, which is how we funded you last time. So I will make a motion that we help with your funding that way again."

Kesling told Martin to come back and see the commission after the fiscal year change on July 1 and that they would see if they could help the museum more. After making a motion to give ICM $5,000 from hotel-motel tax, fellow Commissioners Cris Siler and Chris See voted in favor.

"We love your passion for this and we have been keeping an eye on what you guys have been doing," said Kesling. "We think the museum is a great thing for the county."

Martin thanked the commission and said she felt sure the permanent museum would be up and running in 2024.

"We anticipate being in our new building this year, so we are anticipating needing a lot of things right off," she said. "Like we are going to need to buy a copier, we are going to need to outfit an office. We just know that we are going to have a lot of needs at the beginning."

Martin said once the museum opens it will be something for all children in the county to enjoy, especially during the winter months when there's snow on the ground.

"We are really committed to making the museum affordable," Martin said. "So far we have been able to offer a lot of free programming, and once we have a building, we will work with grants and organizations to make it affordable for everyone."