Museum History

 

1986

• Conceived by a group of concerned private citizens.

 

1987

• City of Palm Desert Funding for museum needs assessment and facility
• Incorporated in the state of California.
• Charter member in Association of Youth Museums

 

1988

• Achieved nonprofit 501(C)(3) status.

 

1990

• Initiated outreach programs in the schools.
• Opened Museum office and first exhibits.

 

1991

• $1.6 million Building Trust Fund created by Cove Cities: Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells.

 

1992

• Winner of the California Teachers Association State Gold Award.
• First Annual Educator’s Community Resource Faire.

 

1994

• First traveling exhibit “Garbage… and all that Trash” at the Palm Desert Town Center Super Saturdays Open Museum

 

1995

• Discovery Edu-Kits Outreach Program introduced.
• Family Theater Series partnership with the Rancho Mirage Parks and Recreation
• Museum Partnerships with Scholastic, Microsoft, Crayola and the Los Angeles Times
• International children’s art exhibition “Discover My World”.

 

1996

• Named Nonprofit of the Year by the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce.
• Co-Sponsors of the Celebration of Young Children in Palm Desert.
• Museum Operations in Palm Desert Town Center Mall June-September
• Construction begun September 1996

 

1997

• Completion of Phase I and delivery of exhibits
• Recruitment and training of Professional Staff and volunteers

 

1998

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony January 29, 1998
• Discovery Partners’ Adult Fun Night Opening Celebration January 30, 1998
• Grand Opening-free tours to the public February 1, 1998
• Served over 65,000 visitors

 

1999

• Rancho Mirage Nonprofit of the year Award
• Served over 50,000 visitors

 

2000

• Add Design Corner (Interior Design Exhibit)
• Add Westfield Shoppingtown Mall Exhibits (Outreach Program)
• Served over 55,000 visitors

 

2001

• Ranked #20 in the nation; #2 in California
• Served over 56,000 visitors

 

2002

• Rancho Mirage Nonprofit of the year Award
• Served over 55,000 visitors

 

2003

• Kaleidoscope Traveling exhibit serving over 8,000 children in 17 days
• New Exhibit: Fur Fins Feathers and Fun w/Animal Samaritans
• Rancho Mirage Nonprofit of the year Award
• Served over 62,000 visitors

 

2004

• Served over 65,000 visitors

 

2005

• Served over 62,000 visitors
• Mural Project installed and unveiled.

 

2006

• Gallery Refurbish and addition of 5 new exhibits
• Rancho Mirage Non-Profit of the year Award
• Served over 64,000 visitors
• New Web-site design unveiled
• Application and approval of Preliminary Development Plan for Master Plan Expansion

 

2007

• First Children’s Champions Award Gala recognizing Betty Barker
• Rancho Mirage Non-Profit of the year Award
• Strategic Plan reviewed and expanded upon
• Unveil new design of Museum newsletter, the Discovery Gram
• Served over 66,000 visitors

 

2008

• Confirmation received of City of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage pledges for expansion
• First Phase of Master Plan finalized
• Second Children’s Champions recognizing: Barbara Sinatra, Palm Desert National Bank, Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, and Jean Benson
• Served over 59,000 visitors

 

2009

• KPSP Local 2 and the H.N. Frances C. Berger Foundation Coachella Valley Spotlight award
• National Recognition as ACM “Good to Grow Museum” One of the 4 in the Nation
• Served 55,000 visitors

 

2010

• Developed Children’s Gardens
• Partnered with ASID for 10th Annual Home Tour
• E-newsletter developed
• Broke Ground on Phase I Expansion project
• Served 55,000 visitors

 

2011

• September 2011 New Multipurpose Building ready for occupancy
• Outdoor play areas and maze completed
• November 2011:11 new Hands-On Exhibits installed
• Ribbon Cut, Media Play day, Evening Celebration Event, and Healthy Family Day
• Naming of the interior of the Dinah Shore Building to the Betty Barker Gallery
• Installation of newly donated art sculpture- “R.Hero”

 

2013

• Served over One Million paid visitors at the Gerald Ford location!

 

2014

• Built an Exhibit Fabrication shop on site
• Installed 22 new STEM exhibits including: 20 Puzzler exhibits to challenge your creativity
• Installed a Cup Copter exhibit and a Harmonograph exhibit
• Installed a Swiss Cheese Maze activity
• Began Family Science Nights programs – Children and families from Title 1 schools come enjoy an evening of fun, family learning (at no cost to the families or the school)
• Redesigned the museum lobby and moved the Gift Shop into the lobby
• Made the old Gift Shop into a new Hands-On Learning Lab

 

2015

• Began a traveling exhibit program hosting: SuperKids Save the World!
• Introduced a weekend workshop program
• Introduced a new School Tours Program including a 30-min instructor-led program.
• Joined the Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos collaborative with the Palm Springs Art Museum, Sunnylands Gardens and Estate, and Run with Los Muertos.

 

2016

• Installed and opened the Trike Track, the Museum’s first of many outdoor exhibits
• Traveling exhibits include: Chagall for Children, Playing Together:Games, Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Installed MakerSpace presented by LOWES Home Improvement
• Opened satellite location at The River at Rancho Mirage
• Served over 70,000 visitors

 

2017

• “Great Friend to Kids Award” recipient R.D. Hubbard
• Installed Creative Builders Exhibit
• Traveling Exhibits include: Attack of the Bloodsuckers, Playing Together:Games, Once Upon a Time

 

The Facility:
MGA Partners designed the entire CDMOD complex of buildings. Their award-winning designs are known all over the world. The dramatic angles, curved walls, and floor to ceiling windows are only a few of the special touches created by their superior architects.