Children have begun to explore many exhibits donated from the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas.

Commerce, Texas -- “Christmas” arrived in October at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. Gifts of more than twenty exhibits and play areas have arrived from the Museum of Nature and Science, formerly located in Fair Park in Dallas. The Dallas Museum of Nature and Science moved to the new Perot Museum, leaving behind all of their exhibits and fixtures. A letter from the Museum’s director explained what donations of their exhibits would be made before the move. As a result, the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum received this significant donation.

A new sand table exhibit allows children to play in the sand without getting their clothes or the floor dirty.

The announcement of the numerous exhibits was received enthusiastically by the board of directors for the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum.

“It has been so exciting to receive these exhibits,” stated Sharline Freeman, executive director for the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. “We could never have afforded these.”

The initial contact with an employee of the Museum of Nature and Science was made by Wyman Williams in May. Wyman contacted a former graduate of East Texas State University who was employed by the Fair Park museum.

Colette Young, a new board member of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Nature and Science. She added her support to the request for the exhibits. Three employees of the Museum of Nature and Science came to Commerce in July to look at the potential for the exhibits being placed in the Commerce museum.

“We are especially excited about the Einstein robot,” said Kathleen Hooten, Children’s Museum board member. “It has been fun learning to use this remote controlled, bicycle riding doll. We plan to use him with field trips.”

Sharline Freeman explained that children have been excited about the Ant Hill Crawl, the Bubble Table, the Sand Table and Elsie, The Cow.

When asked, Freeman said, “Yes, they really like Elsie. The children can even milk her!”

Much work has been done since receiving the exhibits in September, and the exhibits are now on the floor for children and adults to enjoy.

Tana Hall, a Museum employee, crawls through the new ant hill exhibit.

Although the Children’s Museum is excited for what the Perot Museum will be offering in Dallas, it is especially grateful for the donation of the new exhibits that bring a higher quality children’s museum for children throughout northeast Texas.

The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is located at 2501 Hwy. 50 in Commerce, Texas. It is open Tuesday through Saturday.