Story, photo by Barbara McCormick
BOCA RATON – Boca Raton Children’s Museum Executive Director Poppi Mercier, together with board members, recently kicked-off its Capital Key Campaign to raise $1.4 million dollars to expand its campus beginning with the construction of a replica of the historic Captain T.M. Rickards House, one of the first homes built in Boca Raton — in 1897.
Rear, from left, are Michael Thorson, Poppi Mercier and Ron Assaf; front row, from left, are Anita Detert, Christian Ayala, museum member, and Kathy Assaf.
The building will be composed of meeting areas, administrative offices, with the first floor being home to Jason’s Music Hall, where musical programs and the arts will be provided for children through after school programs.
In this regard, Mercier stated, “We know that young people need to be exposed to culture, and they particularly need to be exposed to music at a very young age. Our Jason Hall music programs will provide this musical opportunity.”
The Museum has received a $330,000 grant toward construction costs through the Palm Beach County Cultural Development Bond.
Ron and Kathy Assaf, long-time supporters of the Children’s Museum since its inception in 1979, were the first to support the idea with a generous donation towards the historic interiors, Mercier said.
The Assafs received special recognition from the Museum with an official brass key for opening day and a message that read: “Thank you for believing in us with your key contribution to our Rickards House Project. History will come alive to our children visiting Jason’s Music Hall because of your generous gift.”
Museum board member Anita Detert, added “I’m so excited we will now have the opportunity to start musical programs for infants on up, which I think is a new idea for Boca.”
Michael Thorson, Museum Board campaign director, remarked; “Music is what teaches children structure, math, discipline and it teaches them that if they practice, they can excel. This lesson will hold true for the rest of their lives in all that they do.”
To learn more about the Boca Raton Children’s Museum plans, or to make a contribution, call 561-368-6875.