Submitted photo A group of children work on building a wheeled machine out of wood pieces. The Interact Children’s Museum’s new location will give families a place to visit and enjoy.

ELKINS — The Interact Children’s Museum has received a “hallmark” donation of $195,000 for its new location in downtown Elkins from the Gerald and Judith Davis Foundation.

This gift to the ICM was recommended by surviving members of the Davis family, a release announcing the donation stated. The family wanted to ensure that Gerald and Judith Davis’ spirit of giving is continued “in a way that truly honors their lives.”

“We are humbled and deeply grateful for the confidence this family has placed in our mission,” ICM Board President Lisa Martin said in the release. “This gift not only honors an extraordinary legacy, it provides vital early momentum and inspires others to join us in building a museum that will serve families across Randolph County and beyond.”

In September, the ICM Board of Directors signed a two-year lease with Seneca Mall LLC for use of the historic Dann Building on the corner of Davis Avenue and Third Street. The location will “serve as the new home of Interact and give families from throughout the region a play to visit and enjoy,” an ICM release announcing the move stated. Since 2019, the Interact Children’s Museum has operated as a mobile museum.

Gerald “Jake” Davis was an Elkins native and a graduate of Elkins High School Class of 1971, and Judy Davis was from Mansfield, Ohio. Both resided in Columbia, South Carolina prior to their passing and were highly involved in community philanthropic endeavors and supported many non-profit initiatives in Columbia and throughout the South Carolina Midlands, according to the release.

“The Davis family’s legacy gift represents a foundational step in bringing Interact Children’s Museum to life,” the release states. “As a leadership-level contribution, it will support core exhibits, hands-on learning environments, and early educational programming – helping establish a vibrant new space where children can explore, imagine and discover.”

In December, the museum also received a $5,000 donation from Tammie Thompson as part of the museum’s new Founding 150 Campaign. Thompson’s donation was made to honor the memory of her husband, Rich Thompson.

The Interact Children’s Museum’s Founding 150 Campaign invites families and businesses to provide lead gifts to help develop the museum’s first brick and mortar location at the Dann Building. The campaign seeks donation gifts of $1,000 to $10,000 to provide a foundation for the new location. According to the release, donors will be recognized on a permanent display inside the museum.

New equipment, furniture and floor cushioning, as well as play areas, will be installed in the building. In addition, space will be set aside for hosting birthday parties and other fun events. The campaign also will fund initial operating expenses to ensure long-term success.

The Dann Building is currently undergoing upgrades by Seneca Mall, LLC to provide new electrical, HVAC, accessible restrooms and other improvements for a bright and welcoming space for the community. Amber Kwasniewski of the Mills Group is providing design.

For additional information about the museum or how to donate, visit interactchildrensmuseum.org or email Martin at interactmuseum@gmail.com.