Smithsonian Opens Wegmans Wonderplace--First Gallery for Children 0-6

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will open the first gallery on the National Mall designed for children 0–6 with daylong festivities

WHEN:          
Wednesday, Dec. 9
11:30 a.m. ribbon cutting

WHERE:       
Innovation Wing, first floor west
National Museum of American History
Constitution Avenue entrance, between 12th and 14th streets N.W.

WHO: 
David Skorton, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution  
John Gray, director, National Museum of American History
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.)
Danny Wegman, CEO, Wegmans
"Walkaround Elmo" from Sesame Street

The National Museum of American History will open "Wegmans Wonderplace" Dec. 9 as the first gallery on the National Mall designed for children 0 to 6. This 1,700-square-foot center, located in the museum's new Innovation Wing, will provide the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences for the next 20 years.

Opening-day festivities will include a meet-and-greet with "Walkaround Elmo" from Sesame Street, music and dancing with "Coach," "Williebob" and "Boogie Bennie" of the band Rocknoceros, cooking demos for kids and adults, face painting, balloon art and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Wonderplace gallery will feature more than 100 objects and six sections each with play-based interdisciplinary experiences, combining artifact displays with fun hands-on activities to engage young children and their families. Amenities include family bathrooms with diaper-changing stations, stroller parking and a quiet nook in the rear where parents can feed infants.

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History