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After a 2-year process researching and developing plans to create THE FACTORY, a new facility designed to engage youth age 11 into their teens, and exploring numerous locations to serve as its home, KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum is excited to announce the purchase of an 8,400 square-foot building on Taylor Street in downtown Rutherfordton.
Prototype programming for this age range is already underway and will continue as part of the FACTORY PREVIEW, located in the Woodrow Jones Community Hall on Main Street in Rutherfordton, until THE FACTORY opens to the public in 2019.
Located less than a block away from KidSenses Museum, the new building is adjacent to the museum's popular Discovery Garden.
After seeking competitive proposals from several architectural firms, the museum chose Haizlip Studio to develop renovation plans for the building. With offices in Asheville and Memphis, Haizlip Studio has extensive experience renovating older structures as well as designing the type of spaces which support the anticipated programs for THE FACTORY. Past Haizlip projects include Discovery Place Nature in Charlotte, Children's Museum of Memphis, Louisiana Art and Science Museum, in addition to the original design for KidSenses Museum itself.
Mary Haizlip: "KidSenses remains to this day one of our most positive professional experiences. It is rare that a design firm has the opportunity to work closely with leaders and stakeholders to realize the ambitious goal of improving children's lives while advancing the cause of community development. During our time in Rutherfordton, we came to love the place and its people, and are thrilled to be a part of THE FACTORY."
Willard Whitson, Executive Director of the museum, says: "This is a milestone occasion for both KidSenses and families of western North Carolina. With KidSenses Museum and THE FACTORY, children of all ages in our area will have access to world-class facilities designed just for them. We will offer a continuum of informal learning experiences which we believe will stimulate their curiosity, and help them acquire the skills and attitudes necessary for future success in life."
KidSenses, Inc. is especially grateful to the Stonecutter Foundation, the Town of Rutherfordton, Facebook, RHI Legacy Foundation, Kiwanis of Rutherfordton and others for their support of THE FACTORY.
THE FACTORY PREVIEW is located in the Woodrow Jones Community Hall, at 146 North Main Street in historic downtown Rutherfordton, NC. KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum is located at 172 N. Main Street. Museum hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday. KidSenses general admission price is $8 per person over 2 and $6 for seniors 62 and up. Active military are $6. For more information on field trips, birthday parties, annual memberships, outreach programs, and FACTORY PREVIEW programs, call (828) 286-2120, or visit www.kidsenses.org or www.factorymuseum.org. Be sure to "Like us" on Facebook!
