For the
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every room is packed with crafts and activities to further engage children’s minds and creativity. “Younger children like the City Hall, where they can set the town up and play with the trains,” says Love. “Little boys love City Hall; little girls love the hospital, where they can care for the babies. Older kids seem to enjoy the fashion boutique, the theater and the park the best. In the park, there is a putting green the older kids really enjoy and a Wii with the sports package of games to play. Kids of all ages, parents and even grandparents love to compete in a round of bowling, golf or baseball.” But the fun of these environments isn’t solely in the games; visitors will also learn a thing or two. Each environment proudly displays a short biography about a resident of Johnson County who specifically affected it. While young visitors create crafts and role-play, they learn about their community’s history at the same time. Perhaps the greatest part of this distinctive experience is that, unlike other museum exhibits, KidScape isn’t a one-time opportunity. Children and families can come back multiple times, and no two visits are the same. In fact, returning visitors are responsible for much of KidScape’s continued success. “When kids come here for school trips and tours, they just love it,” says Daniels. “They have a great time and then tell their friends about it. They want to come back and see everything again.” In addition to KidScape, the museum holds other adventures, including puppet shows, musical acts and storytellers. “Some of the special events do have a cost, but it’s usually very small,” says Daniels. “All of the information on show times and special events is available on our website.” The Johnson County Museum is filled with other exhibits for older children and adults. Visitors can view the history of Johnson County from 1820 to the present in the Seeking the Good Life exhibit or visit the 1950s All-Electric House that showcases a futuristic look at the use of electric technology of the time. “Seeking the Good Life is an exhibit that is truly intergenerational,” says Daniels. “Everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the artifacts from years past, while interactives found within the exhibit help to reinforce the information and concepts for kids in a fun way.” Whichever Johnson County Museum exhibit families choose to visit, there is no doubt that school is out for the summer, but education and fun never are. sm
Johnson County Museum
Current exhibits include KidScape, Seeking the Good Life, 1950s All-Electric House (house tours: $2 adults, $1 for kids under 12) and special events every Wednesday. Summer events will be added to the website as they come up.
6305 Lackman Road (931) 715-2550 www.jocomuseum.org
middle Various avenues are popular with certain groups. Little girls are known to love the hospital where they can care for the babies. left Carroll Morony, Constance Freeman and Joy Freeman visit the library at KidScape.
sHawneemagazine
top Mindi Love, museum director, attests to the popular exhibit and hopes to have it around for the long-term.
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