Curious Kids’ Museum Breaks Ground on New Main Street Location
Curious Kids’ Museum Breaks Ground on New Main Street Location
Curious Kids’ Museum officially broke ground Saturday on its new Main Street location, marking a significant milestone in the organization's efforts to expand hands-on learning opportunities for children and families throughout Southwest Michigan.
Community leaders, donors, board members and supporters gathered at 601 Main Street in downtown St. Joseph to celebrate the beginning of construction on the future Curious Kids’ Museum on Main Street. The new museum is expected to open in 2027 and will become the organization's third location in St. Joseph.
During the ceremony, Curious Kids' Museum Executive Director Lori Marciniak thanked the many donors, volunteers, and community partners whose support has made the project possible.
"Today represents years of planning, generosity and belief in the power of play-based learning," said Marciniak. "This building gives Curious Kids' Museum a permanent space we’re able to design specifically for a modern children's museum. This new museum will allow us to serve more children, welcome more families, increase the appeal to visit St. Joseph and continue inspiring curiosity for generations to come."
The Main Street project is supported by a $9.65 million capital campaign to fund the building purchase, renovations, and new exhibits. To date, Curious Kids' Museum has raised $6.64 million toward that goal.
Major contributions have come from Mary and Doug Baske, Mrs. Carolyn Hanson, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan, the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, Marc and Anja Bitzer, the Wood Foundation, the Fettig Family Fund, Pella Corporation, the Cook Plant Foundation, and Jim and Heidi Peters.
“Thirty-eight years ago, we dreamed of creating a place where children could learn through curiosity and play,” said Mary Baske, founder of Curious Kids’ Museum. “Seeing that dream grow with this incredible new location is deeply meaningful to me. I can’t wait to see children and families fill this space with laughter, discovery and memories.”
The building at 601 Main Street in St. Joseph was formerly a church that provided space for the Fort Miami Heritage Society to house area historical items. In 1994, the building was destroyed by a fire. Priscilla U. Byrns helped rebuild the building, creating expanded space for the Heritage Museum & Cultural Center (HMCC), formerly the Fort Miami Heritage Society, to operate the museum and host weddings, meetings and events. In 2025, HMCC board of directors approached Curious Kids’ Museum regarding a purchase of the building allowing both organizations to right-size their operations.
“Our mother (Priscilla U. Byrns) loved teaching children and supported all learning methods,” said Carrie Vill on behalf of her and her siblings. “She would love the building’s transition to a children’s museum. A space filled with families spending time together and learning through hands-on play is a wonderful tribute to her.”
When the Main Street location opens, Curious Kids' Museum will continue operating its existing museums, Curious Kids’ Museum on Lake Boulevard and Curious Kids’ Museum at Silver Beach Center, formerly Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone. The Lake Boulevard location will primarily serve school field trips and group visits, helping the organization meet growing demand while expanding access for families and visitors at the new location on Main Street. This new location strengthens downtown St. Joseph by creating another year-round destination that benefits residents, visitors, and local businesses.
For information about the current capital campaign supporting the Curious Kids’ Main Street location and to contribute, go to https://curiouskidsmuseum.org/about/recent-news/.
About Curious Kids' Museum
Founded in 1989 by educators and parents, Curious Kids' Museum inspires children ages 12 months to 10 years to explore and learn through cooperative hands-on play. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, the museum has welcomed more than 1.45 million visitors and provides engaging environments that foster curiosity, creativity, exploration, and lifelong learning. Curious Kids' Museum has consistently been recognized as a "Best Museum" and "Best Place to Take Kids" by local publications and is one of only 28 Michigan attractions designated as a Triple AAA Great Experience for Members (GEM).
