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Pretend City Children’s Museum is a nonprofit children’s museum located in Irvine, California. The museum encompasses 17 interactive exhibits that simulate a small interconnected city. In addition to its exhibits, the museum provides community resources such as developmental screenings and tools for families, educators, and community agencies.[1]
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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | 29 Hubble, Irvine, California, U.S. |
| Type | Children's Museum |
| Website | www.PretendCity.org |
History edit
Alexandra Airth and Sandra Peffer established the Pretend City Children's Museum. Its first educational program was a mobile field trip experience in 2007 called “Pretend City on Wheels.”
In July 2009, Pretend City launched a 10-year countywide program designed to educate the community, parents, and caregivers about the importance of regular developmental screenings for children, specifically infants to age five.[2]
In November 2010, the museum was awarded “The Possible Dream” grant by The Festival of Children Foundation and OC Register, which funded autism programs and enabled Pretend City to hold two events a month for those affected by autism, such as creative relaxation classes, family autism day, and an autism workshop.[3]
In 2021, while complying with the safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretend City reopened.[4]
Exhibits and Special Programs edit
Pretend City’s kid-sized environment contains exhibits modeled after a city and designed by David Rockwell. In addition to its exhibits, the location also offers educational field trips and classes.[5]
Exhibits include: an Amphitheater, Art Studio, Mind + Body Center, Sandy Beach, Restaurant Café, City Hall and Lobby, Construction Site, Emergency Services with Dispatch Station, Police Station, Fire Station, Farm, Gas Station, Trader Joe's Grocery Store, Health Center with Doctor’s and Dental Office, Marina, Orange Plaza, Our Home, UPS Store, and Imagination Playground.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Mission & History". www.pretendcity.org. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "PRETEND CITY LAUNCHES THE COMMISSION FUNDED "GOOD TO GO FROM HEAD TO TOE" DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING PROGRAM". occhildrenandfamilies.com. Children & Families Commission of Orange County. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Irvine Museum Gets Autism Grant". www.dailypilot.com. Daily Pilot. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine reopening with COVID-19 safety measures (Press Release)". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ "Educational Philosophy". www.pretendcity.org. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "Imagination Playground". Retrieved 24 March 2015.
33°38′32″N 117°44′22″W / 33.6421°N 117.7395°W
Pretend City Re-Opens, ABC7 Pretend City reopens Saturday with new exhibits, pandemic lessons learned, OC Register Pretend City locals invest in youngest citizens, LA Times