Habitot History 1992-2007
1992 –
Habitot Children's Museum was founded by parents and educators
to meet the unique needs and interests of infants, toddlers
and preschoolers in the East Bay
1995 –
"Waterworks" traveling exhibit completed after raising
$40,000 - exhibit embarks on tour of 36 East Bay sites to
help build support for Habitot. 5,000 people joined mailing
list over the three-year tour.
1998 –
$200,000 raised in advance member sales, fundraising events
and individual donations. 4,000 sq. ft. facility leased, built-out
and opened in downtown Berkeley, April 1998; 30,000 visitors
in first year. Launched Family Outreach Program to broaden
and diversify audience; opened gift store and "Rocky
Coast" exhibit.
1999 –
received city and private grants to initiate youth employment
program (20+ high school/college students per year); first
year-round multicultural events and programs on weekends;
opened "Back to the Farm" exhibit; held first annual
Preschool Art Fair; 50,000 museum visitors.
2000 –
raised $60,000 in capital to lease, build-out and open Habitot,
Too, an adjacent 1,100 sq. ft. classroom annex; commence year-round
children’s classes and camps and parenting education
program eventually raising $80,000 in earned class revenue
and serving 1500 students and parents a year; "Firehouse"
exhibit opened; Board adopts 5-Year Strategic Plan. Annual
visitation reaches 60,000.
2001 –
opened "Recycling Center" exhibit; launched Art
Reach program of off-site arts programming in local schools
and develops a fee for service line of revenue. Expands birthday
and museum rental program; launched Early Childhood Safety
Campaign; 65,000 visitors.
2002 –
family outreach visitors reach 8% of our audience, 5,150 low-income/special
needs visitors; opened "Blast Off to Outer Space"
exhibits; completed feasibility study of Habitot's capacity
to grow; produced first set of parent-to-parent parenting
brochures; Early Childhood Literacy Project initiated; 75,000
visitors.
2003 –
Parent Education Signage project complete; "Medical Center"
exhibit opens; first "Take A Seat for Habitot" fundraising
event, $55,000 raised; family outreach visitors reach 10%
of our audience -- over 8,000 low-income/special needs visitors;
completed IMLS Museum Self Assessment on public perception
issues; 80,000 visitors.
2004 –
Habitot honored with a federal Institute for Museum and Library
Services (IMLS) award for its "Art Reach Program";
revamps website, eventually generating 40,000 unique hits
annually and drawing hundreds of new visitors a year; leases
additional office space for development, reaching 6,900 sq.
ft. in total. Habitot's 5-year Strategic Plan revised through
2010; Contracted with commercial real estate broker to identify
new facilities. National
Award News
2005 –
Initiated weekly community tours; received donation of Roger
Goldenberg contemporary art work; completed transitional leadership
process, creating a management level structure with the hiring
of a managing director; retained public affairs/lobbying firm;
launched 'Opening Doors' fund for relocating the museum, raising
$100,000 in gifts and multiyear pledges of $300,000. Secured
two additional capital pledges totaling $250,000 towards relocation
fund. With off-site programs included, 97,000 visitors and
community members.
2006 –
Identified future home of the museum, a 2-acre site in Emeryville.
Partnership agreement launched to secure and develop the site.
Board initiates a capital planning effort and seed grants
raised for $6-8 million campaign, including $72,000 from IMLS
to design the outdoor space. Audience reaches 88,000, including
8,000 served in off-site programs. Low income family participation
exceeds 12% of audience though active teen parent, caregiver
support and diverse family programs. Free admission days welcome
over 7,000 visitors.
2007 –
Habitot received a two-year, $150,000 grant to develop a comprehensive
parenting education and support program from Alameda County
First Five. Separate programs serving teen parents, special
needs families and caregivers were expanded, and weekly drop-in
parent support groups were launched. Over 180 parents participated
by year's end.
At the end of 2007, site negotiations with the Emeryville
school district came to a close when the district decided
upon alternative plans for the property being sought. Capital
efforts were put on hold and fundraising was redirected to
supporting Habitot's Berkeley location. The Board of Directors
continues the search for a larger and more accessible facility.
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