M&M Children’s Museum’s renovations, new exhibits in progress

MENOMINEE, MICH. – Born from a dream over seven years in the making and developed at her dining room table, Executive Director and Founder of the M&M Children’s Museum (located at 425 1st St., Menominee, Mich.) Pam Lee has been making headway into her mission of opening a safe, fun and educational museum for children and families. 

Lee’s journey into developing a museum for the Marinette, Wis. and Menimonee, Mich. area began on a trip with her grandchildren to Discover Depot Children’s Museum in Galesburg, Ill. Lee shared that this museum inspired her to create a destination that families could visit during cold winter months when accessible entertainment slows.

The founder began her research by visiting other inspiring museums around Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, and attending conferences for museum professionals. By June of 2023, Lee and a group of likeminded individuals had begun brainstorming plans for what would become the M&M Museum, which they received licensure for in Oct. 2023. 

“It’s just so exciting, where we are now,” Lee said, reflecting on all of the behind-the-scenes work that has led up to this point. 

While Pam Lee and the non-profit received the historic 18,000 square-foot building as a donation from Joe Veriha, extensive work was needed to bring the building back to its deserved glory. The museum’s board quickly came up with a fundraising plan — hosting a gala.

The inaugural gala was held on Saturday, Nov. 2, and was planned in just two months. In spite of the restrictive timeline, the gala proved to be a successful event for the museum. The M&M Museum Gala was attended by 10 corporations and organizations that booked tables as well as 30 individuals. In-kind donations were gifted by American Door and Supply, Great Lakes Door, B&B Electric, Plutchak Crane and Fabrication and L.E. Jones. 

Funds will go towards a new HVAC system, overhead doors capable of fitting exhibit pieces and a new roof for the museum, billed at $175,000. 

Through the efforts of the gala the museum was able to raise 20% of the funds towards installing a new roof and the ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign raised another 20%. Lee hopes to install the new roof in the coming months, and shared that the gala was a great success. However, the founder said that the biggest highlight was “the support that the community came out [with].”

Work on removing old floors, fixing the electricity, writing grants and developing detailed architectural plans will continue throughout the upcoming months in an effort to move closer to an opening day. As dedicated workers tirelessly volunteer their time, Lee provided some insight on the seven exhibits the museum plans to showcase: Art Studio, Trucking Adventure, Sea Adventure, Banking Business, Flight Adventure, Broadcast Land and 3D Printing.

Art Studio

This exhibit promises to give children the opportunity to explore their creative side through a variety of mediums. The Art Studio is sponsored by Bruce Peters, in memory of his late wife Marcia, and the Menominee Woman’s Club, which donated $10,000 and will supply the room for three years.

Trucking Adventure

Supported by donations from Joe Veriha and Veriha Charitable Trust through Veriha Trucking, Trucking Adventure will give children the opportunity to explore and play in a full-size sleeper semi-truck in the parking lot while parents check in to the museum. Lee hopes that this will be an exciting point of distinction.

Sea Adventure

A planned mainstay for the M&M Museum will be a model of an LCS ship built by the Fincantieri Marinette Marine. “We’re going to have the controls in it, we’re going to have Navy information, there will be screens where they can track their own boar, of course, but also show them how to track other boats,” Lee explained.

Banking Business

Pam Lee shared that she “almost felt like crying” when Integris Credit Union came to her and said they wanted to design and fund a banking exhibit within the museum. Integris has been involved in the mission of the museum beyond the exhibit, donating their time on Credit Union Kindness Day with volunteer work.

Flight Adventure

Through work done with a group of local men, the M&M Museum will soon boast a helicopter that kids can enter and use controls to “fly” high in the sky using simulation screens in addition to their rocket launchers. Currently, Lee is working with the group on plans to collect drone footage of Marinette, Wis. and Menominee, Mich. so children can see their own community from above. Lee is brainstorming other ways to adapt and develop the exhibit, such as using footage from other countries and landmarks to increase educational efforts.

Broadcast Land

Award-winning radio personality Jim Callow of Bay Cities Radio is donatin a variety of technology and materials to the museum so children can learn about broadcasting. Pam Lee shared that she is also looking into purchasing a green screen, which would allow kids to practice weather broadcasting.

3D Printing

While most children’s museums cater specifically to ages up to 10, the M&M Museum is looking to engage kids through age 15 with their 3D printing machinery and a possible robotics club down the line. Lee added that she “[wants] to engage the entire community,” and one way to do so is encouraging participation from older kids.

In addition to these exhibits, the museum will offer a rotating variety of monthly events which bring in guest speakers and continuously develop new materials to engage the kids, their families and the community. 

As Lee looks forward to continuing on the journey of preparing the M&M Museum for visitors, she noted, “We’re thankful for the community and their support.”

The M&M Children’s Museum is currently accepting any and all donations and searching for volunteers regarding handyman work as well as social media and website management, committee chairs and board members.

For more information regarding these positions or for updates on the M&M Children’s Museum, visit www.mmchildrensmuseum.com or their Facebook page M&M Childrens Museum.