Mission / History

Mission/History

Vision

CMOR provides the ultimate fun learning experience for children, families, and Manhattan Project visitors.

Mission

The mission of CMOR is to provide fun and diverse educational programs and exhibits emphasizing play and hands-on learning for all ages in arts, science, history, culture, and healthy living, while collecting and preserving objects in a historic Manhattan Project Community.

Strategic Plan

The Museum’s Strategic Plan, which covers the years 2023-26, was approved by the Museum’s Board of Directors on November 17, 2022. It includes a set of five core values, and seven strategic goals. The planning process, led by the Museum’s Executive Director, included input from a variety of stakeholders including board and advisory members, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR) members, and other members of the community who have an interest in the Museum and its future.

Our Core Values
These are guiding principles that represent our highest priorities, deeply held beliefs, and fundamental driving forces. They are the heart of what CMOR stands for in the world.

  1. To conduct our operations with integrity, adhering to the highest ethical standards.
  2. To work with, serve, and learn from people with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, showing respect and compassion for all.
  3. To be stewards of our community’s unique history, preserving it for future generations.
  4. To provide excellent educational experiences – through exhibitions and programs – that are innovative, impactful, engaging, and inspirational.
  5. To be of service to our community and to provide a safe place for people to learn, have fun, and spend quality time with each other.

Our Strategic Goals

  1. MONEY: Continue on the path of financial stability
  2. MARKETING: Effectively market CMOR to local and regional audiences
  3. TECHNOLOGY: Build a robust technology infrastructure for CMOR
  4. PEOPLE: Provide a respectful and welcoming place to visit, work, volunteer, partner, and belong
  5. FACILITY: Maintain and improve CMOR’s historic Manhattan Project-era building and grounds

The full plan can be seen here.

History

The Children’s Museum was started in 1973 as a Girl Scout project by Troop 69 and its leader, Joyce Maienschein. It was formally opened on March 11, 1973 in the library of the former Jefferson Junior High School. In January 1974, the Museum moved to the former Highland View Elementary School. Nine years later, the museum purchased the building and land from the city of Oak Ridge, and now operates in 54,000 square feet with indoor and outdoor exhibits, classes, camps, and events for all ages.

Selma Shapiro

The Museum’s first executive director was Selma Kravit Shapiro. Selma was the driving force behind the Museum’s growth for 31 years, and her vision made the Museum what it is today. Selma retired in 2004 and volunteered at the Museum until shortly before her death in 2011. During her career Selma received the Governor’s Award for the Arts, the Gordon Holl Arts Administrator Award from the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Vocational Service Award from the Oak Ridge Rotary Club. She served as national president of the Association of Youth Museums (now the Association of Children’s Museums) and was inducted into the American Association of Museum’s Centennial Honor Roll.

Mary Ann Damos served as the Museum’s second executive director from 2004-2015. She had previously served as the Museum’s education director. During Mary Ann’s tenure as executive director, major exhibition projects such as the Appalachian exhibition and Kids Go Green Environmental Center and Gardens were completed, and the Kids in Action! Healthy Living exhibition was begun. All three projects were funded with highly competitive grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Museum’s front entrance and parking area were renovated as well. Growth was also seen in programmatic areas. Mary Ann, a talented visual artist, is now giving back to the community in her retirement, as an active volunteer.

Since January 2016, Beth Shea has served as the Museum’s third executive director. Beth has spent most of her 30 year career in the museum profession, having worked at the Virginia Living Museum and the Illinois State Museum before coming to Oak Ridge. Her passions are literacy, scientific literacy, history, historic preservation, and connecting children and families with the arts. In her short time at the Museum she has led the Kids in Action! Healthy Living grant project to completion, shepherded the creation of a new Master facility plan, led the team that created the Museum’s new strategic plan, and facilitated new partnerships with the National Park Service and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023.