Long Island Children's Museum Celebrating Major Milestone

It's been 20 years since the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) began fostering creative ways of learning in a small demonstration site housed in donated space.

Today, the 40,000 square foot learning laboratory is a large, nationally-recognized museum anchoring Nassau County's "Museum Row." More than 3.5 million visitors have explored the museum's 14 hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibit galleries and year-round theater.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24, LICM will throw a weekend-long birthday bash to celebrate the milestone.

LICM president Suzanne LeBlanc said milestone occasions like a 20th birthday are a "gift" because they allow one to reflect on all that has happened over the years.

“It is wonderful to see the founding vision for the Museum not only realized but exceeded,” she said. “The goal of being a welcome and nurturing gathering space for the Long Island community is visible in the more than 3.5 million visitors who have come to the Museum from across Long Island’s towns and villages.”

LeBlanc said receiving the National Medal for Museum and Library Service last year was a "golden moment" in LICM's history as it highlighted the museum’s community commitment. The award is presented to five museums annually that demonstrate "extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions."

"The Museum’s staff and board of trustees are ready to bring LICM to the next level of success,” LeBlanc added.

As part of the two-day celebration, visitors will learn about birthday traditions from around the world, including customs that have originated from Greece, South Africa, Ireland and elsewhere.

Live performances from some of the museum's most popular performers will join the fun, including Liz Joyce, the first performer to sell out the LICM Theater. Joyce will perform “King Midas” on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

On Sunday, the popular band Milkshake returns to LICM, as well as members of the National Circus Project who will display circus skills from around the world on both Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors will also learn why dancing is an important custom at teen birthday parties in Latin American and African cultures. Demonstrations of these traditional dances will be presented by Ballroom Palace Dance Studio of Roslyn and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Rho Omega Zeta chapter).

The Long Island Children's Museum is a private, not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

Admission this weekend is priced at a "2 for $20" rate and is free for museum members. Visit www.licm.org for more information.