The Dalles, OR

About Us

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We are a 501 (C) (3)
Non-Profit Organization.
Donations are tax deductible.

About Us

Wonderworks Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization based in The Dalles, Oregon and is a member of the Northwest Association of Youth Museums.

Begun in 1977, we bring together families and young children through activities and play spaces that cultivate, challenge and uphold their creative and intellectual potential. Many families see us as their “life saver” – a hub of stimulating, engaging activities where they can meet and connect with other people with young children.

We are a volunteer organization, run by a volunteer board. We currently operate the Wonderworks Playstation, an indoor community playroom designed for our youngest target audience, children 0-4, and provide a variety of affordable programs for a wider range of ages, including classes in music, art, cooking, parenting and gardening.

Together with many dedicated volunteers from our community, we raise funds for our  activities primarily through two annual fundraisers, providing concessions at the Fort Dalles Rodeo and offering Santa Pictures and Sleigh Rides in Downtown The Dalles. We also have an endowment fund established with The Gorge Community Foundation www.gorgecf.org to which we contribute annually. Private donors and foundations have also supported our activities and our endowment fund through the years.

Future Vision

Wonderworks is searching for a permanent museum space. Our Playstation and programming represent a scaled-down version of our museum; we closed our larger museum in 2002 in order to pursue our goal for a permanent museum facility.

In the past, Wonderworks has had larger museum spaces with more exhibits that served wider age groups. Many adults in the community remember playing at Wonderworks as children. After using a variety of leased spaces around town through the years, Wonderworks began actively pursuing a permanent home for our museum’s work in the 1990s. We partnered with the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District and several foundations to expand the old Booth House at The Dalles’ Thompson Park into a museum, but the project ultimately conflicted with the park commission’s goal of providing green space for the city.

As of Spring 2006 we have hired staff to develop a business plan and fund drive for Wonderworks with the goal of moving forward  to locate and develop a permanent home for Wonderworks. The Small Business Development Center at Columbia Gorge Community College will assist us in this endeavor.

Our Mission and Values

Wonderworks strives to give children and their families experiences in an original, interactive environment that will cultivate, challenge and uphold their creative and intellectual potential.

    We Value:

        •  New, enriching experiences for young minds, bodies and spirits.

        •  A creative forum for Gorge parents and other adults to exercise their talents for the
           good of young people.

        •  Social interaction for young children and their families.

        •  Supportive, nurturing networks of families as they raise young children.

        •  The promotion of young children’s interests and positive parenting for our community.

Board of Directors

Kristen Booth
President

Laura Faherty
Vice President

Varina Schecter
Secretary

Liz Browning-Schwartz
Treasurer

Anne Kelly
Project Manager

Michelle Adams
Dawn Agidius
Mandelynn Morgan
Kerry Proctor

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