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| Established | 2000 |
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| Location | 303 West Avenue Norwalk, Connecticut, United States |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Website | www.steppingstonesmuseum.org |
The Stepping Stones Museum for Children serves as a hands-on museum specifically designed for children aged 10 and under. Situated at 303 West Avenue within the Central district of Norwalk, Connecticut, this establishment offers an engaging and interactive experience tailored to its target demographic.
Among its notable features are various interactive exhibit areas, including a theater, a broadcast studio, and a high-definition screen. Noteworthy exhibits encompass a dedicated exploration area designed for toddlers, along with a designated "Family and Teacher Resource Center."
Within the entrance lobby stands the ColorCoaster, an impressive kinetic sculpture spanning 27 feet (8.2 m), expertly crafted by the artist George Rhoads.
Enriching the museum's surroundings is a garden with three Kinetic Energy Sculptures. These sculptures, conceived by Beinfield Architecture, ingeniously harness local sources of solar, wind, and water energy.
In 2011, it was granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. Acknowledged by the Governor of Connecticut as one of the pioneering projects within the state to attain LEED Gold status, the museum's design integrates a diverse array of solutions, ranging from energy efficiency to the utilization of alternative energy sources.
Positioned within Mathews Park, the museum finds itself in proximity to the Lockwood–Mathews Mansion, further enriching the cultural landscape of the area.
History
Stepping Stones Museum for Children was established in the year 2000 under the guidance of Gigi Priebe. Over its inaugural decade of operation, the museum garnered a two million visits.
In the year 2010, the museum underwent an extensive renovation project with a budget of $17 million. This undertaking necessitated the closure of Stepping Stones for roughly three months, culminating in a "grand reopening" on November 20, 2010. This transformative initiative facilitated the expansion of the museum's interior space by approximately 22,000 square feet (2,000 m²), effectively doubling the facility's available indoor area. The redesign, a brainchild of Beinfield Architecture, not only magnified the museum's physical dimensions but also cultivated a naturally efficient workspace that was aligned with principles of sustainable energy. The endeavor was characterized by the integration of recycled materials procured from local sources. A notable aspect of the expansion encompassed the construction of a forty-foot screen multi-media theater and communication facility. Additionally, an internal telescope was incorporated to facilitate the observation of plant and animal life atop the facility's roof. The project's visionary approach further manifested in the creation of three garden "follies," ingeniously harnessing solar, wind, and water energy sources.
These environmentally-conscious efforts were formally recognized in 2011, when the museum achieved the esteemed LEED Gold status. The Connecticut Green Building Council also bestowed their Green Advocate and Merit awards upon the project. These accolades specifically commended the project team's unwavering dedication to sustainability, evident from the project's inception and consistently influencing decisions throughout the design, construction, and subsequent phases. The museum's role as a children's institution also presented a unique opportunity to foster awareness and enthusiasm for these ecological objectives, both during the construction phase and in its day-to-day operations.
Notes
Renovations were diligently undertaken to enhance the Tot Town and Healthy Ville exhibits. T
The "Energy Lab" exhibit was introduced as a replacement for the erstwhile "Water Scape" exhibit.
The "Rainforest Adventure" exhibit, once a fixture within the museum, transitioned into a dedicated space within a wing designated for traveling exhibitions.
See also
