Letter: Three Rivers Children’s Museum was more than a play space for younger children

I enjoyed Ty Beaver’s Jan. 1 article on the efforts by Hands in for Hands on, a group working to provide hands-on educational opportunities in the Tri-Cities. As one of the founding board members of the Three Rivers Children’s Museum in the early 1990s, I’m happy to see a new generation taking on the challenge.

But I take issue with the characterization that “... [the] Three Rivers Children’s Museum ... served more as a play space for younger children.” Though far from perfect, the TRCM was created and headed largely by educators, with sound educational philosophy behind it and exhibits that used play in the pursuit of learning.

At our peak, we served 28,000 kids annually, on a shoestring budget with an all-volunteer staff. That’s not bad, considering that the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center — with a multimillion dollar facility and a half dozen paid staff — served about 40,000 in its first year.

I’m supportive of what HiHo is trying to do, but it’s unfortunate the article gives the impression that past efforts have failed, simply because the TRCM no longer exists. I don’t think many of the tens of thousands of kids that spent time there felt like we failed.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Letter: Three Rivers Children’s Museum was more than a play space for younger children."