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Museum Guild

Who We Are
The Children's Museum Guild
Founded in 1933

The Children's Museum Guild was originally founded to support the museum during its busy growth period. In 1946 the Guild took on the challenge of helping the museum raise money. While the Guild has hosted such events as dances and fashion shows, it's most successful fund-raiser has been an annual Haunted House. For more than 40 years, Guild members have managed every detail of operating the longest-running, most popular Haunted House designed especially for children.

Through the Haunted House and other efforts, the Guild has raised millions of dollars for the museum. However, funding is not its only bailiwick. Guild members have assisted in nearly every area of the museum's growth and development. In 1998 alone, members donated close to 27,000 hours - that's an average of more than 150 hours per member!

Current Guild projects include:

Haunted House
Active Guild members are required to serve on one of several Haunted House committees, which are responsible for every aspect of the Haunted House, from creating the theme, to sewing costumes and coordinating publicity.

Hospital Outreach
The Hospital Outreach Committee is comprised of four teams of three people. The teams makemonthly visits to area hospitals and shelters to bring a little of The Children's Museum to ill children ages 5 to 13 years old.

Prelude Awards
This annual arts competition allows students to compete in one or more of eight categories: collaboration, creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theater, video/film, visual art and vocal music. Guild members assist with arrangements and staffing for the Prelude competition. They also coordinate the Prelude Awards banquet and assist with arrangements for the Prelude Academy, an in-depth summer arts program.

Northwest Gateway New Village Initiative
This neighborhood improvement project is a joint venture between the museum, private companies and agencies, and local government facilities. In 1999-2000 the Guild began to assist with neighborhood beautification in a way that involves a professional mentoring program for area youth.

Reach for the Stars
The Guild coordinates and funds this scholarship program for museum youth volunteers. Interested youth apply and are interviewed by a panel of judges. In 1999, four $2000 scholarships were awarded.

Special Exhibit Gallery 3
This center, which opened in January 1999, is designed to foster creativity in children. Twice a month committee members work with children in the center.

Strategic Planning
Composed of active and associate Guild members, the Strategic Planning group works on future planning for the Guild and evaluates ideas for possible fund raisers. This committee is a think tank for issues of importance to all Guild members.

Haunted House Fun Facts
The Haunted House started in 1964. Through the Haunted House, the Children's Museum Guild has raised over $5 million for the museum. Over 50,000 visitors dare to cross the Haunted House threshold annually. Each year volunteers spend approximately 12,000 hours creating and running the Haunted House.
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