Just a few months ago, the future of the Children's Museum of Jamestown looked very bright.
After welcoming the public for sneak previews during December and January, the museum's board members were looking forward to permanently opening the museum's doors in the late spring - celebrating having a home for a museum that has been in the works since the organization was founded in 2003.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.
When board member Al Nottage, the benefactor and trustee who was in the process of purchasing that permanent home for the museum at the intersection of Third and Main streets, suffered a stroke and subsequently died Feb. 23, the Children's Museum once again found itself without a place to call its own.
Melissa Belli, Children's Museum board president, said that the community has been extremely supportive of the not-for-profit organization in the past, as it has set up portable exhibits at summer events such as the Scandinavian Festival, SkyJam, Lake Fest and other community festivals.
Now, as the lease on the permanent home was voided with Nottage's death prior to the completion of purchase, Ms. Belli said she is hoping the community will show its backing for the museum again.
''We're basically homeless again, and I guess at this point we're trying to see if there's still support out there for it,'' said Melissa Belli, Children's Museum board president. ''We drained a lot of what we had trying to get the space prepped for the December and January dates we were open, so at this point we're just trying to see if it's something that can still move forward.''
CHARTER SET TO EXPIRE
It has always been the goal of the Children's Museum to provide a destination in Jamestown for families with young children, Ms. Belli said.
''A lot of times there aren't many things for young children to do, things that are low-cost, things for parents and children to do together,'' she said. ''We just think it would be a great thing for Jamestown and this whole area, but unfortunately the money hasn't come in like we had hoped.''
The Children's Museum of Jamestown has conducted a feasibility study that indicated that with the support of individuals, businesses, civic leaders and other groups within the community, it would be possible to open and sustain and family-oriented, non-profit facility. Permanently housing science experiments, crafts, cultural displays and other activities, it would be a world of wonder for young people to explore, Ms. Belli said.
''We think it would be good for the community - not only the children and the families, but financially, too,'' she said. ''It's a draw to bring people in from outside of the area.''
Unfortunately, she said, that potential may now never happen, as the non-profit corporation's charter is set to expire in July - and without significant progress to report, the state may direct it to dissolve once and for all.
''The state needs to see some progress and we were moving that way - we had a location, we were getting ready to start a capital campaign - but now we don't have that,'' she said. ''We're kind of just stuck right now.''
ASKING FOR HELP
With no physical space to call home, the Children's Museum of Jamestown is asking for community help in its search for a permanent location.
Any community members who are able to donate space are encouraged to contact Ms. Belli at 397-4402 or by email at melissabelli@gmail.com. Ideally, Ms. Belli said, the museum board is looking for a space of at least 5,000 square feet - though it is open to options.
Anticipated costs of the project will depend on the condition of the location, and any individuals seriously interested in donating space may request to see a copy of the organization's business plan.
Ms. Belli said she and all other Children's Museum board members do not want to see their years of hard work end here. She also said the board has appreciated the public's support in the past, and believes the public has been appreciative of everything the museum has done to date.
''The public is so supportive,'' she said. ''They have enjoyed everything that we've done.''
For more information about the Children's Museum of Jamestown, including how to make a donation, visit its website at www.cmjny.com.
