Galesburg invests in children's museum - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Galesburg invests in children's museum

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

Volunteers opened the Discovery Depot thirteen years ago. Now the city and local businesses say it's the ticket to attracting more people to Galesburg.

"The community felt that there was a need for a place for children and families to come and be enriched in our community," says Denise Bradburn, Executive Director, Discovery Depot.

Jennifer Bunde loves taking her kids to the museum, but says it could use some TLC.

"I think this museum has been wonderful, but I think some updates would be great to sort of bring in the 21st century," says Jennifer Bunde, a Galesburg Mother.

That's why local businesses and the city of Galesburg are donating more than seven hundred thousand dollars to go towards the project.

It's a hefty price tag, but the director says it'll pay off.

"We're hoping that it brings alive the museum. Part of our plan is to have panels with silhouettes of children on the outside, to bring alive the museum and attract those people in through our doors," says Bradburn.

The museum is right next to the Galesburg train station, so they're hoping the new add-ons will attract tourists too. And visitors are excited to see what's in store.

"I think it would be wonderful if the museum could kind of grow with the kids as they get older, so I'm really excited to see what they have in store," says Jennifer Bunde, a Galesburg resident.

The renovations on the discovery depot will be finished by 2015. But the museum will still be open during construction.