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August 3, 2007

Campaign to save Derry children's museum underway

Julie Huss

DERRY | After saying two weeks ago that it would be evicted from its downtown location at the end of this month, The Children's Metamorphosis announced yesterday the launch of a "Save the Met" fundraising and restructuring effort in the hopes of keeping its doors open.

Museum officials had cited growing debt and diminishing sponsorship as reasons for the decision to close. The museum's landlord, Derry Depot Square Holdings LLC, began the eviction process last month.

But inspired by recent membership growth and community support, museum staff and supporters have now set out to keep the Met going. The "Save the Met" campaign aims to raise $50,000 to cover debt and short-term expenses, while securing additional board members and new corporate sponsors to help improve operations.

Met Executive Director Tracy LaPlante said once the announcement about the Met's eviction was made, things started to happen and staff and supporters began planning the campaign to keep the museum open.

"The touching stories, expressions of sadness, and offers to help were too loud to ignore," she said.

LaPlante said the museum's landlord, a subsidiary of the Derry Economic Development Corp., is being very supportive, but now it is time for others to get on board and show how much the Met is needed.

"It's time for corporate citizens and the community at large to step up and show how much they want the Met to stay," she said.

The Children's Metamorphosis began in 1991 in a small North Londonderry home, and moved to its downtown Derry space in 2002, taking over a larger location and leasing the space from Derry Depot Square Holdings. But expensive renovations, repairs and other costs left the museum in a financial hole it couldn't climb out of, LaPlante said.

While in Derry, the museum's membership numbers continued to grow, to a peak of 800 families, with daily attendance, field trips and other special programs also rising. More than 30,000 visitors stopped by the Met annually, representing towns from all over New Hampshire and beyond.

Paul Lindemann, a member of the Met's board of directors, said momentum is now growing for the campaign, and anyone interested in helping the cause through business sponsorships, donations or volunteer work can get involved.

Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse said the Met is a popular spot in downtown Derry and he hopes the campaign will be successful.

"The Met is a real treasure for area children and a definite boost for local business," he said. "I hope this campaign succeeds in helping them establish a more solid footing here in downtown Derry."

The Met plans several fundraising programs for its "Save the Met" campaign. A meeting is planned for anyone interested in participating on Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., at the museum at 6 West Broadway, #24.

Pledges toward the Met's $50,000 goal can be made by calling the museum at 425-2560 or by going to its Web site at www.childrensmet.org. Any businesses that are interested in supporting the Met can call LaPlante at the museum or e-mail her at tracy.laplante@comcast.net.



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