Tue September 12, 2023
Batavia Depot Museum announces access program & participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play September 30
Global play event presented by Nickelodeon and the Association of Children’s Museums
Batavia, IL - The Batavia Depot Museum announces it will host a free, family friendly day of joyful learning through play on September 30th. The Museum is participating in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play, part of Nickelodeon’s Our World global initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency.
Children and families are invited to participate in this event by visiting the museum on September 30th between 10am and 5pm. The event will include special activities throughout the museum, including an artifact touch & play station, lawn games, and a newly designed takeaway activity book.
“Museums are exciting places where ‘playing around’ sparks curiosity, empathy, and lifelong health,” said Batavia Depot Museum Director Kate Garrett. “Visitors on September 30th will get a super dose of play designed just for them.”
There is no fee or registration to participate in the Day of Play event, thanks to grant funding made possible by The Association of Children’s Museums and Nickelodeon.
The museum will also be sharing the power of play on their social media platforms. The social media campaign will be posted on Facebook & Instagram at @bataviadepot. Resources and more information will be available on the museum’s webpage https://bataviaparks.org/batavia-depot-museum.
As part of a network of more than 300 children’s museums who reach millions of families in North America, and the more than 1,000 museums participating in Museums for All, a national access initiative that ACM manages, Batavia Depot Museum is a vital collaborator in the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play.
“Play is a powerful experience that enriches people’s lives in museums, schools, homes, and beyond,” states Arthur G. Affleck, III, executive director of the Association of Children’s Museums. “ACM is pleased to partner with Nickelodeon on amplifying the importance of play on wellbeing and healthy brain development, and to make learning more effective and joyful for everyone. As children’s museums, we believe in the power of play and we strive to nurture more play and playful learning everywhere we go.”
For a list of all participating Our World: Worldwide Day of Play events and more information about the initiative, please visit www.childrensmuseums.org/dayofplay.
About Batavia Depot Museum
The Batavia Depot Museum is at 155 Houston St. and is free to visit. Museum hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It opened in 1975 as a cooperative effort between the Batavia Park District and the Batavia Historical Society. Housed inside the retired Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot, which was the first of its kind built in 1854, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, the city's past comes alive through exhibits detailing the history of rail transportation, manufacture of windmills, agriculture, banking, commerce and a brief stay by Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)
ACM is the foremost professional society supporting children’s museums in developing rich environments that stimulate children’s natural playfulness, curiosity, and creativity. With more than 470 members in all 50 states and in 19 countries, ACM champions children’s museums and together enrich the lives of children worldwide. As a global leader, advocate, and resource for the field, ACM and our member organizations strive to build a better world for children and serve over 30 million visitors annually. Started in 1962, ACM recently marked its 60th year of impactful service to children, families, and children’s museums.”
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 44th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.
