JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Facing eviction at its current location, the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum (JHCM) was able to land on its feet for now thanks to some quick thinking by the Teton County School District.
During their recent regular meeting, the TCSD Board of Trustees approved the lease of two of the modular buildings on the JES campus to the Children’s Museum.
The former elementary classrooms became available after the opening of Munger Mountain Elementary School this school season. The modulars will provide a home for JHCM for the next year, with the option to renew the lease for an additional year. JHCM plans to use one of the buildings as a museum, and the other as classroom and office space.
As part of the lease agreement, JHCM will provide their annual STEAM programing to TCSD#1 K-5 students at no cost to the school district.
Superintendent Dr. Gillian Chapman says she is happy the district could step up and help out.
“The JHCM is a valued community partner so we are pleased to be in a position to provide the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum with a temporary home while they continue their efforts to find a permanent location,” Chapman said.
JHCM executive director Jean Lewis added, “We are thrilled and so appreciative of this collaboration. The JES annex buildings are an ideal location and allow us to continue serving the families and children of our community through engaging play and learning experiences and out-of-school programming.”
Lewis added that JHCM is still exploring options for a forever home.
The Children’s Museum is being displaced by a town workforce housing project at 174 N. King where JHCM has called home since 2011.
The one-year lease agreement takes effect January 1, 2019.
