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.