Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 18, 2006 Contact: Ed Glisson
Interim Executive Director
(845) 471-0589, ext. 19

Dyson Foundation Grants $305,000 to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum for Pavilion and Mastodon

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- The Dyson Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $305,000 to the Mid-Hudson Children towards the acquisition of the museum’s pavilion space, and towards the cost of producing a cast of the Hyde Park Mastodon to be located in the pavilion at 75 North Water Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.

In June of 2006, the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum (MHCM) was approached by the Dyson Foundation to consider the possibility of housing a cast of the Hyde Park Mastodon at its waterfront location. The Paleontological Research Institution/ Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, NY, where the original Mastodon bones are permanently housed was consulted. It was determined that an ideal location for this exciting exhibit would be the museum’s outdoor pavilion. MHCM has owned the pavilion since the purchase of the entire property, in March, 2004. The former owner, however, has maintained the rights to operate the pavilion, which the Museum has the option to purchase.

The pavilion sits on the banks of the Hudson River and will provide a majestic background of the River and rolling hills for the Mastodon Exibit. This exhibit will be in full view of those traveling up and down the river, as well as those enjoying the Hudson River Walkway or visiting the Children’s Museum. The mastodon exhibit is scheduled for installation in September of 2007. The 8,000 square foot pavilion can easily accommodate the proposed 200 square foot exhibit while preserving ample space for programming and facility rentals by MHCM. The Mastodon Exhibit will be an exciting new draw for children, a learning opportunity for all who see it and provide a unique connection to the Hudson Valley region where the Mastodon once roamed and was discovered nearly 12,000 years later in Hyde Park.

In addition to the generous funding from the Dyson foundation, the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum was also granted $100,000 from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program towards the purchase of the rights to use of the Pavilion. The Museum continues to seek funding for naming opportunities from individuals, foundations or corporate sponsors as part of our ongoing Capital Campaign. Call our Development Office at 845-471-0589 ext 15 for additional information.

Location: 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Easy access from route 9, route 44/55 and the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

For information: (845) 471-0589
www.mhcm.org