Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them and Vira Ogburn has high hopes that the Minds in Motion Children’s Museum will come to fruition to help kids “Explore, Discover and Create.”

Ogburn, a Bennett Middle School science teacher and mom of three, first conceived the idea years ago and she and a friend put the wheels in motion for a museum in the Salisbury area. A board of directors was formed, fundraisers were started, and a feasibility study was carried out.

But while they are still fundraising and raising awareness, plans have stalled. Most importantly, they need a location for the project to take off, Ogburn emphasized. They are anxious to put roots down and start building out a location, even if it’s temporary.

“All children’s museums get started by having a donation of a building,” explained Dr. Melanie Kerber, secretary of the Minds in Motion board of directors. The board had a feasibility done through NorthStar Museums & Education that showed that the venture would be successful here. The report was for an 8,600 square foot space, but Ogburn said anything from 5,000-10,000 square feet would work. They have even drawn up plans for a limited space of 3,000 square feet, enough to launch the museum. 

Ogburn, president of the Minds of Motion board of directors, said the group was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2017. They are regulars at community events, preschools and summer camps with tables of information and simple science displays for kids. The museum would feature interactive exhibits with STEM components. STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – simulations will help kids think about careers and learn about everything that makes a city, a city, Ogburn said.



Minds in Motion would look like a little town with sections on agriculture (how food is produced), a grocery store (how to shop) and a mini news studio (how news is produced, the job of a meteorologist), for example. The goal is to for students to learn while they are playing, on their own and with parents, and eventually stay on the shore as adults instead of seeking careers elsewhere. 

Nationwide, there are about 500 children’s museums, Kerber said, and the data shows each museum can generate $200,000 profit a year. Children’s museums are attractive to tourists, as well, all while serving the primary goal of teaching children in an engaging, hands-on, memorable way.



“But what’s holding us back is a building,” Kerber said. The board of directors has considered vacant buildings, empty storefronts, any unused space in the community that can be donated or rented for a very nominal fee. Their initial fundraising push, called the “Founding Fifty,” still is accepting donors, Ogburn said. The first 50 community members or businesses to donate $1,000 or more will have their honor of their name being placed in a display in the building; so far, they have 34 donors. Other fundraising efforts have included galas with speakers and the annual Hot Chocolate 5K every New Year’s Day.

The board had plans to kick off a capital campaign but that was delayed by covid and other issues. Now, they are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work making the museum happen, but they need guidance. Kerber, owner of Coastal Concierge Property Management, and a superintendent and principal for many years, said she has even taken classes on how to start a capital campaign, but the board is looking for someone who can lead the effort.



While they are figuring out their next steps, they have also been researching exhibit fabricators, Ogburn said. Interactive museum displays will inspire creativity, help teach problem-solving, and give kids non-technology free-play areas to develop and let them figure things out at their own rate. Every aspect is deliberately designed to foster a child’s curiosity. 

"It's not just playing, but it's hands-on interactive activities with STEM components." - Vira Ogburn, museum board president

Ogburn said the Minds in Motion team has visited children’s museums and attended educational conferences and she’s been collecting ideas for years, both on her own and from others who send her pictures from their travels. The inspiration is there; they need a few giant steps to move the process along.

If you or your business or organization want to know more, contact Ogburn or Kerber through the Minds in Motion email, info@mindsinmotionsby.org. If you are skilled in running capital campaigns or you have an idea for a location, whether to donate space or finances, they are looking forward to hearing from you. They are open to locations across the tri-county area.

(A side note: Minds in Motion has a Facebook page, but it was hacked and Meta has not rectified it yet. The page can still be viewed but they unable to post.)