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.

 

[ycd_countdown id=31604]