Oak Ridge Today

Today: Manhattan Project Park celebrates 75 years of Girl Scouts in Oak Ridge

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Camp Trefoil Girl Scouts on Steps (Submitted photo)

Camp Trefoil Girl Scouts on Steps (Submitted photo)

 

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is partnering with the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and the Girl Scouts of the USA to celebrate 75 years of Girl Scouts in Oak Ridge on Saturday, March 10.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, individual Girl Scouts and/or troops are welcome to participate in hands-on activities at the Children’s Museum until 3:30 p.m. Admission to the Children’s Museum will be free to any Girl Scout in uniform and their immediate family. Girl Scouts of all levels are invited to participate and will have the opportunity to earn multiple patches, while supplies last, a press release said. Some of the activities include a Children’s Museum scavenger hunt, donating items to support the community, games, and a cupcake celebration.

Girl Scouts who bring a new or gently used book to be donated for the local Free Little Libraries can earn a patch, while supplies last. Participants are also asked to bring items to make hygiene kits for the American Red Cross. These items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, soap, washcloths, razors, and shaving cream. Girl Scouts can earn a limited edition Oak Ridge 75th Girl Scout patch by participating in the various events offered throughout the day. [Read more…]

National Park Service in Oak Ridge to move to Children’s Museum

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Now housed at the American Museum of Science and Energy, the National Park Service will move its visitor center and offices in Oak Ridge to the Children’s Museum in October, officials said Friday, June 16, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

The National Park Service will move its visitor center and offices in Oak Ridge to the Children’s Museum in October, officials said Friday.

The National Park Service has a visitor center and offices in Oak Ridge as part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, a three-site park that was established in November 2015 after years of advocacy.

The visitor center and offices are now located at the American Museum of Science and Energy, or AMSE, on South Tulane Avenue. But that museum is closing as part of a land transfer related to the Main Street Oak Ridge development.

“We have been so fortunate to have been based at AMSE for the first 18 months of this new national historical park,” said Kris Kirby, Manhattan Project National Historical Park superintendent. “The staff and volunteers have been outstanding partners providing space and backup support with all of our activities. We consider the entire City of Oak Ridge to be part of the park and will continue to offer programming in multiple locations throughout the area.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project National Park celebrates Girl Scout Week on Saturday

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Photo by Ed Westcott

Photo by Ed Westcott

 

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is partnering with the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and the Girl Scouts of USA to celebrate National Girl Scout Week on Saturday, March 11.

Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Children’s Museum, individual Girl Scouts and/or troops are welcome to participate in hands-on activities until 3:30 p.m., a press release said. Admission to CMOR will be free on that day for any Girl Scout in uniform and their families. Girl Scouts can earn the “Our Girl Scout Story” history patch and a MAPR Junior Ranger patch by participating in a historical scavenger hunt. The historical scavenger hunt activity information will be made available from March 11 through March 25 at the National Park Service desk at the American Museum of Science and Energy. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum to celebrate national parks at gala in December

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Martha Hart of Karen’s Jewelers, left, with Lee McGetrick and Mike Morris, all members of the Children’s Museum Gala Committee, display a National Park poster for the Gala, which will celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service at its annual Gala Evening, a benefit for the museum on Friday, December 2.

“Tribute to the National Parks—A Centennial Celebration” will feature National Park trivia and prizes, National Park-inspired cuisine by Rosa’s Catering, music from the Oak Ridge High School Choral Ensemble, an exhibition of children’s photographs from the parks, and a surprise for Gala attendees.

The Gala will be an official National Park Service Centennial Event. In honor of that designation, the museum will offer free admission Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, inviting the public to view the “Parks-in-Focus” National Parks photography exhibit in the Imagination Gallery. Photos of area parks taken by girls from Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge will be shown in the exhibit.

Guests are invited to come dressed to represent a favorite National Park or in semi-formal attire to the Gala, to be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. December 2 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Letter: Former Children’s Museum director endorses Dodson for City Council

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To the Editor:

I strongly endorse Jim Dodson as a candidate for the Oak Ridge City Council. During the 19 years that I have known Jim, I have always found him to have the good of the community at heart. While serving as executive director of Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, collaborating with Jim was always a highlight. His fairness and sincerity are outstanding qualities that I have experienced and observed through the years. He has the ability to draw people together and is extremely adept at working with a group to accomplish set goals.

He has worked with Children’s Museum staff to bring educational experiences to the children of our area and served on the museum’s Board of Trustees. His educational endeavors are known throughout the state, accordingly earning him several well-deserved honors for his work. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum Summer Camps continue in July

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Children may be superheroes, wizards, scientists, potters and chefs, or build with LEGO bricks, and much more during Imagination Station Summer Camps that continue in through July at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Children may be superheroes, wizards, scientists, potters and chefs, or build with LEGO bricks, and much more during Imagination Station Summer Camps that continue in July at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Children may be superheroes, wizards, scientists, potters, and chefs, or build with LEGO bricks, and much more during Imagination Station Summer Camps that continue in July at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The Children’s Museum will offer camps weekly from July 5-29, giving children opportunities to learn and grow through play in a fun and safe environment. Each camp is specifically created with age-appropriate activities aligned with children’s developmental stages. Register and pay for camps online, at www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org, by mail or in person, at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Camp fees are fully refundable up until 14 days before the start date. The fee for each Monday-Friday camp is $125 for members and $135 for non-members, except where noted. Four-day camps the week of July 5-8 are $100 for members and $110 for non-members. A discount is available if two siblings register for camp during the same week or if a child registers for two half-day camps in the same week. A limited number of scholarships for camp are available. Download the scholarship application from the museum’s website.

Camps July 5-8 are: [Read more…]

Scottish professor visits Children’s Museum for Weinberg research

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Sean Johnston and Alvin Weinberg Papers at Children's Museum

Professor Sean Johnston, a professor of science, technology, and social studies from the Dumfries Campus of the University of Glasgow in Scotland, searched through the papers of Alvin Weinberg, former director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as part of a two-year project funded by the British Academy titled “Trusting the Technological Fix.” (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is well known as a center of play and learning for the young and young at heart. The museum’s lesser-known collections of historic papers recently brought a senior academic historian from Scotland to Oak Ridge for several days of research.

Professor Sean Johnston, a professor of science, technology, and social studies from the Dumfries Campus of the University of Glasgow, searched through the papers of Alvin Weinberg, former director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as part of a two-year project funded by the British Academy titled “Trusting the Technological Fix.”

His visit highlights the value of the collections the museum began gathering in the 1970s to tell the cultural and social history of the area for its Regional Appalachian Center.

“Not only was Weinberg the prominent head of the national laboratory (1955-73), and very much a member of the establishment, but he was somebody who was curious and worried about the wider social implications of nuclear technology,” Johnston said. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum Imagination Station Summer Camps begin June 6

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Children may be artists, chefs, and scientists, or learn about model railroading, build with LEGO bricks, and much more during Imagination Station Summer Camps beginning Monday, June 6, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The Children’s Museum will offer camps weekly from June 6-July 29, giving children opportunities to learn and grow through play in a fun and safe environment. Each camp is specifically created with age-appropriate activities aligned with children’s developmental stages. Register and pay for camps online, at www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org, by mail, or in person, at 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge 37830.

Camp fees are fully refundable up until 14 days before the start date. The fee for each Monday-Friday camp is $125 for members and $135 for non-members, except where noted. A discount is available if two siblings register for camp during the same week or if a child registers for two half-day camps in the same week. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in the Square on Saturday

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The merchants of Jackson Square invite you to join them this Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for Arts and Antiques in the Square.

Artisans and dealers of vintage and antique items will be on hand to showcase their wares for purchase, a press release said.

There will be live music from Liza Jane and Fiddlin Curly Cottrell, and they will share their knowledge of “good ole mountain music” beginning at 12 p.m., the release said. [Read more…]

TORCH hosts day of free family fun at Children’s Museum

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TORCH hosted a day of free family fun at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, April 2. (Submitted photo)

TORCH hosted a day of free family fun at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, April 2. (Submitted photo)

 

TORCH hosted a day of free family fun at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, April 2.

It was the first TORCH Springtastic! Elaine Graham of Balloonacy Lunacy presented the children with balloon animals, flowers, among other things, while Kelly Mules of Faces Gone Wild painted exquisite designs on their faces. Jeffery Bell portrayed Carley, the dog who is the main character in the TORCH Children’s book series. Nathan Zieger read Dr. Seuss, and Sheila Michel told stories and worked puppets.

Andy O’Quinn, TORCH executive director, put together music videos to which the children could dance. There were arts and crafts, fruits, vegetables and juice boxes to enjoy, and the opportunity to plant a fresh flower in a small pot to take home.

“It was a celebration of spring and healthy life choices,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum names new executive director

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Beth Shea is pictured above at a Children’s Museum gala in December 2015. (Submitted photo)

 

Beth Shea, who has worked with the Illinois State Museum for almost 21 years, will become the new director of the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Monday, January 4. She was formerly the education director with the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, supervising the museum’s educational programs, visitor services, and volunteer program.

Shea brings an expertise in creating and implementing museum school and public education programs. She helped create the play-themed children’s area in the lower level of the museum, and has worked on many projects as a member of the museum’s exhibition team. She brings experience in grant writing and in building partnerships with community groups to the Children’s Museum. She has also worked as an education associate at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News.

“The search committee and the museum board found that her experience as a museum professional and her ability to relate to people made her the best choice as new director,” said Tom Beehan, Children’s Museum board president. The search committee conducted a national search during a three-month period to hire the new director, Beehan said, and received applications from a number of good candidates. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts A Tennessee Evening on Dec. 4

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Tennessee Gala Volunteers at Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

A Tennessee Evening Gala volunteers join Mary Ann Damos, museum executive director, in the museum’s Appalachian Exhibit log cabin. From left, they are, seated, Pat Imperato and Cande Seay, and standing, Nancy Harrison, Lee McGetrick, Damos, and Larry Burkholder. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Tennessee Evening Gala on Friday, December 4, celebrating Tennessee heritage with music, dance, and fine food representing the state’s traditions.

Guests are invited to come as a favorite Tennessee personality or character to the semi-formal event held from 6-11 p.m. December 4 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Ridge City Ramblers will entertain with toe-tapping bluegrass and Americana music. Also entertaining will be Henry Perry, bringing his harmonica blues music to the event, and Slade Trammell, a concert pianist. The Knoxville Contra Dancers will bring old-time folk dancing to the Gala.

Beth Haynes of WBIR-TV will emcee the Gala. Haynes co-anchors WBIR’s “Live at Five at Four” with Russell Bivin and anchors 10 News at Five and the 10 p.m. news at Fox 43. [Read more…]