It all started with a dream…

 

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is the dream of our founder, Allyson Loos, who saw the need for quality family experiences in Collier County that were inclusive for all children. She began sharing the idea with friends, who, in turn, found other friends with specific skills that would help during the early stages.  Six women eventually made up the founding board: Allyson Loos, Lisa Van Dien, Kim Buckheit, Nancy Ross, Brenda Prioletti, and Julie Koester. 

 

 


2002

June: Initial organizational meetings
August: 501(c)(3) received
September: Board organization/business plan developed



2003
February: Needs assessment conducted
April: Focus groups
September: Negotiated park site with County
December: Master Planner selected


2004

February: “Dream Catching” sessions
April: Master Plan completed
June/July: Cost estimates obtained
October: Executive Director, Joe Cox, hired

November: Architectural plans begin


2005
January: Exhibit engineering design begins
August: Education Council completes 5 year plan
December: Exhibit concept design completed


2006
July: North Collier Regional Park opens – future home of C’mon
August: Exhibit schematic design phase begins
October: Board expands to fourteen (14) community leaders
December: Exhibit Schematic design phase completed


2007

March: Capital Campaign Task Force established
May: Opening of C'mon administrative offices at 501 Goodlette Rd North
June: Corporate Fundraising Campaign launched
September: Museum Guild inaugurated
December: Construction Documents completed



2008

March: Director of Development, Myra Williams, hired
April: Yabba Island Pirate Ball and Museum Guild raise $411,000
October: Director of Education, Jennifer Sabo, hired



2009

January 17: Great Venetian Duck Race raises over $85,000 for the Museum

January 24: C’mon breaks ground!

February: Traveling exhibit sponsored by the Tourist Development Council travels to eight children’s museums around the state and Museum Outreach begins

North Collier Regional Park site plan


Sketches for the alligator in Journey through the Everglades


Choosing the color palette


Sketches for The Street


Sketch of the future C'mon building

 

 

 

C"mon federal tax identification number is 01-0687133. The Children's Museum of Naples is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, IRS Sections 509 (a)(1)
and 17(b)(1)(A)(vi) for both federal and state tax purposes. A copy of our official registration and financial information may be obtained from the
Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 800-435-7352 within the state (CH-14271).
Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.