The newest kid on the block at Canalside in Buffalo, Explore & More The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum, was officially dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
- New downtown children's museum officially dedicated
- It bears the name of longtime Bills owner Ralph Wilson
- Four-floor museum features interactive exhibits for kids and adults
The vision for that moment began some 25 years ago as part of a play group with East Aurora families.
"We started very small, at my house at a meeting one evening, one cold winter night," said Terri Reynolds, one of the museum’s founders in 1994.
From humble beginnings, it's grown to move into a new home in downtown Buffalo and a $29 million, 43,000 square foot building — seven times bigger than the old site in East Aurora.
"We just kept trying and kept growing and here we are, in this beautiful, beautiful spot," Reynolds said.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation donated a $6 million matching grant to help make it happen. Mary Wilson, the life of the late Buffalo Bills' founder, was filled with pride to see this as part of her husband's legacy.
"I can't begin to tell you to tell you how moved I am to see Ralph's name on a building and a children's museum," Wilson said.
There's much to do and see in the four-floor museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike to learn while they play. They include seven education play zones and hands-on educational experiences, such as the region's history with the power of water, farming, medicine, science and technology, architecture and building, cultures of the area and sports.
"We're able to have a broader audience, we're able to grow up a little bit," said Explore & More CEO Michelle Urbanczyk. "The other museum was really aged about 3-6. This is really 0 all the way to 12."
The museum is growing right along with the resurgence of its new neighborhood, from a staff of 10 now to more than 40 employees. Leaders plan to be a big part of bringing more people to Canalside and the Buffalo Waterfront.
"We're a player. We've been asked to play in the playground and we're so excited and we've brought our toys," Urbanczyk said.
Some of the exhibits are still under construction, while finishing touches happen in many areas of the museum. There is not a firm date scheduled for an official opening. Rather, leaders say they're in the midst of several soft openings for various groups including donors and members. Then the general public can buy tickets online to reserve a time to visit.
