Cobb County Youth Museum Inc

Overview

The Cobb County Youth Museum Inc. is a nonprofit educational center located in Marietta, Georgia. The museum serves as a unique educational resource, offering imaginative and interactive tours for elementary and middle school classes. Its mission is to enrich the educational, cultural, and recreational lives of youth in Cobb County and surrounding areas.

History

The museum was founded by the Junior Welfare League in 1964. Initially, its focus was on creating suitcase exhibits for distribution in schools. The museum's building and grounds were officially opened on April 12, 1970, marking a new phase in its development as a physical educational site. Over the years, thousands of students have experienced the museum's programs, many returning as teachers and parents. The museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Programs and Exhibits

The museum offers two-hour tours, during which students participate in historically staged areas, dressed in period costumes and rehearsed for their roles. These interactive experiences are closely aligned with elementary school curricula and include original puppet productions. The current exhibit, "America's Pathways to Independence," takes students through significant events of early America, from Colonial Boston to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Impact

The Cobb County Youth Museum Inc. serves approximately 15,000 people annually. The museum acts as an extension of the traditional classroom, providing a hands-on learning environment where students engage with history and culture. Community support is crucial to its operations, with donations helping to underwrite admission costs and maintain educational programs.

Staff and Governance

The museum is staffed by a director, office assistants, and tour coordinators. The Board Program Committee plays a key role in researching and developing the educational content of the tours. This organization relies on donations from individuals and organizations to sustain its educational activities and keep them accessible to all students.