ABOUT - DuPage Children's Museum

DCM is OPEN  | Sunday, March 31 | 9–5

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Little Bit
About Us

We Provide Children and Families with Fun, Unique Learning Opportunities

With more than 30 years under our belt, we’ve been inspiring families to laugh, learn, and love spending time together. Through exhibits, programs, and special events, every experience is designed to help children develop a strong foundation of creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills, and confidence – strengths that help them grow to become resilient, innovative, life-long learners.

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Our Mission

DuPage Children’s Museum nurtures joyful discovery and learning.

We are Guided by Our Core Beliefs

1
Respect

Respect for all children and their ability to learn

2
Play

The power of play as a basis for constructing knowledge

3
Partnership

The importance of the child-adult learning partnership

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Our Vision

That all children thrive through access to extraordinary learning experiences.

We’ve Been an Integral Part of the Community for More than 30 years

1987

Founded

DuPage Children’s Museum was founded in 1987 by two childhood educators from Hinsdale, Louise Beem and Dorothy Carpenter.

1989

Opened Temporary Location

DCM opened a temporary location in the Elmhurst Park District. Each morning, Museum workers had to take the exhibits out of a storage area and assemble them, and at the end of the day, reverse the process.

1992

Opened Full-Time Pilot Location

A full-time pilot location for the Museum was established in the Wheaton Park District Community Center. With this change, DCM was able to be open more hours, and move from seasonal to year-round operation.

2001

Opened in Naperville

DuPage Children’s Museum opened permanent location in Naperville vastly expanding ability to serve children and families in the community.

IN 2005, DCM BECAME THE 1ST CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TO OFFER ITS OWN EDUCATIONAL BLOG
IN 1987-1988, THE MUSEUM WAS ONLY A TRAVELING VAN
2004

Hitting A Milestone

On December 21, the Museum celebrated the millionth visitor family since its relocation to Naperville.

2007

Celebrating Innovation

DCM celebrated its 20th anniversary as the place where learning comes into play. After the Museum unveiled a new layout in 2005, DCM was named one of Chicgoland’s top 10 cultural attractions by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2006.

2015

The Great Flood

From lemons to lemonade. A burst pipe resulted in extensive water damage to all three floors, causing the Museum to close in January. The lemonade… reimagining an entire Museum and coming back better than ever in September.

Today

Chapter Still Being Written

DCM has over 17,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits, unique events, memorable parties, innovative programs, fun Learning Labs, and even a café. There is truly something for everyone.

Our Growth has Been Fueled by the Wonderful Contributions of Our Leadership Teams

LEADERSHIP STAFF
Andrea J. Ingram
President and CEO

630.637.8000 x2000
aingram-wiles@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

Julie Lakner
Chief of Creativity and Communications

630.637.8000 x2600
jlakner@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

Gerilyn Johnson
Chief Financial Officer

630.637.8000 x4700
gjohnson@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

Renee Miklosik
Chief of Development

630.637.8000 x2400
rmiklosik@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

Brett Nicholas
Chief of Play and Learning

630.637.8000 x6060
bnicholas@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

Kimberly Stull
Chief of Building and Making

630.637.8000 x5000
kstull@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

We’re Looking for Bright, Talented People to Come Join our Innovative Team

Help create an unforgettable experience for our young visitors. Whether it’s front-line staff working directly with our visitors or backstage staff keeping everything running smoothly, every role plays an important part of the bigger picture.

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Research At DCM

To learn more about research at DCM, click here!

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IN THE NEWS

The Science of Play and Learning: DCM Serious about Education Research

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