Time Line
2011
NOVEMBER: Announced agreement with Museum of Arts & Sciences, Daytona Beach, to acquire the Dow Museum of Historic Houses site in downtown St. Augustine.
NOVEMBER: Hosted "Pirate Parrrrrty" along with Blue Water Jewelers as a fundraising event.
MAY: Fourth annual Just TRI It! A Kids Triathlon, in conjunction with St. Johns County Department of Parks and Recreation, draws more than 240 kids to the Solomon Calhoun Center, raising more than $17,000 for CMSJ.
FEBRUARY: Named Susan Connor as the Museum's first Executive Director
2010
OCTOBER: Hosted "Chocolate & Champagne" at Claude's Chocolates in downtown St. Augustine, as an evening fundraising event.
JUNE: Third annual Just TRI It! A Kids Triathlon, in conjunction with St. Johns County Department of Parks and Recreation, draws more than 175 kids to the Solomon Calhoun Center, raising more than $15,000 for CMSJ.
2009
NOVEMBER: Board of Directors adopted its 2009-2012 comprehensive Strategic Plan.
OCTOBER: Launched Facebook.com/ExploreCMSJ.
SEPTEMBER: Our "Museum Without Walls" debuted "St. Augustine Sleuths" exhibit at the Florida Heritage Book Festival in downtown St. Augustine.
MAY: Staged second annual Just TRI It! A Kids Triathlon in conjunction with St. Johns County Department of Parks and Recreation, raising more than $10,000 for CMSJ. More than 150 children participated in the triathlon and the Tot Trot and Fun Run, two new events for children ages 3-5.
APRIL/MAY: Engaged professional consulting firm to launch comprehensive strategic planning process, which ultimately served as the blueprint for the Strategic Plan.
MARCH: Presented "The Great Bubble Blow-Out" and "Walk Like a Timucuan" exhibits at the St. Augustine Lighthouse Festival in our "Museum without Walls."
2008
DECEMBER: CMSJ hosted the Annie Junior! matinee at the Limelight Theatre. Adults and more than 70 children attended this unique holiday fundraising event for the entire family featuring a Teddy Bear Tea and an all-kids cast for the performance.
OCTOBER: Presented "The Great Bubble Blow-Out” at Ancient City Kids Day, where children and families were thrilled to learn about the science, math and art of bubbles.
JUNE: Completed first full fiscal year having raised more than $32,000 in private support from the community.
APRIL: Board members attend the Association of Children's Museums annual conference in Denver.
APRIL: Staged St. Johns County’s first triathlon event for children in conjunction with
St. Augustine Family YMCA. More than 70 children participated in the Just TRI It! A Kids Triathlon, which raised more than $5,000 for CMSJ.
MARCH/APRIL: Continued community roundtable discussions at each St. Johns County library branch.
MARCH: Presented "Walk Like a Timucuan" exhibit to the public at the St. Augustine Lighthouse Festival in our "Museum without Walls."
FEBRUARY: First public fundraising event held at the Whitney Lab, raising more than $7,700 and increasing awareness about the museum.
FEBRUARY: Began distribution of 10,000 bookmarks featuring CMSJ logo and website in all St. Johns County branch libraries and all 18 St. Johns County public school libraries.
JANUARY: Working committees activated to concentrate on fundraising, marketing, site selection, education and exhibits.
JANUARY: Joined the Association of Children's Museums (LINK www.childrensmuseums.org.)
2007
DECEMBER: Launched the CMSJ website at www.explorecmsj.org.
DECEMBER: CMSJ debuted its first offering of hands-on activities to the public at Ancient City Kids Day with an exhibit entitled "Walk Like A Timucuan." With an estimated 700 children in attendance, CMSJ received great feedback from both children and the adults accompanying them.
SEPTEMBER: First Board of Directors meeting held with 11 members in attendance.
JULY: Received determination letter from IRS designating CMSJ as an official tax exempt 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
JUNE: First public community roundtable discussion held at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.
MAY: CMSJ became a legal entity with the filing of our Articles of Incorporation with the State of Florida.
APRIL - JUNE: Meetings held with key community leaders to test idea of CMSJ.
APRIL: CMSJ's Founding Committee established with 5 members.