In The News

The Grand Forks Children’s Museum has been shaped by years of community support, shared vision, and exciting milestones. Explore recent articles and media stories that capture our journey, from early ideas and public events to construction progress and what comes next.

Event celebrates groundbreaking for Grand Forks Children’s Museum

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

5.20.26

Full Article Online:

Event celebrates groundbreaking for Grand Forks Children’s Museum - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports

Grand Forks Children’s Museum identifies Pam Laffen as anonymous $2 million donor

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

2.28.2026

Full Article Online:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-identifies-pam-laffen-as-anonymous-2-million-donor

Grand Forks Children’s Museum campaign surges forward with major gifts; groundbreaking expected this spring

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

1.10.2026

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-campaign-surges-forward-with-major-gifts-groundbreaking-expected-this-spring

Breaking News: Grand Forks Children's Museum announces anonymous $2 million in matching funds

by: Korrie Wenzel

Grand Forks Herald

10.17.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/grand-forks-childrens-museum-announces-anonymous-2-million-in-matching-funds

Grand Forks Children's Museum pop-up event underway

by: Staff Reporter

Grand Forks Herald

10.3.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/grand-forks-childrens-museum-pop-up-event-underway

Our opinion: Grand Forks Children’s Museum will be asset for community; help push it forward

by: Herald Editorial Board

Grand Forks Herald

7.23.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/opinion/editorials/our-opinion-grand-forks-childrens-museum-will-be-asset-for-community-help-push-it-forward

Viewpoint: How children’s museum in Grand Forks will empower our kids – and why region should rally behind it

by: Diane Martinson

Grand Forks Herald

5.24.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/opinion/letters/viewpoint-how-childrens-museum-in-grand-forks-will-empower-our-kids-and-why-region-should-rally-behind-it

Opp family donates $1 million to construction of Grand Forks Children’s Museum

by: Staff Reporter

Grand Forks Herald

1.15.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/opp-family-donates-1-million-to-construction-of-grand-forks-childrens-museum

Pam Laffen's passion to see children succeed drives her volunteerism

by: Delaney Otto

Grand Forks Herald

12.12.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/pam-laffens-passion-to-see-children-succeed-drives-her-volunteerism

Dean Opp turns newfound free time into opportunity for volunteerism in Greater Grand Forks

by: Korrie Wenzel

Grand Forks Herald

12.4.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/dean-opp-turns-newfound-free-time-into-opportunity-for-volunteerism-in-greater-grand-forks

Grand Forks Children’s Museum leaders tout benefits of South 42nd Street site

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

10.23.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-leaders-tout-benefits-of-south-42nd-street-site

Grand Forks City Council approves leasing location near Alerus Center for Children’s Museum

by: Matthew Voigt

Grand Forks Herald

9.30.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/grand-forks-city-council-approves-leasing-location-near-alerus-center-for-childrens-museum

Grand Forks Children’s Museum moves closer to reality

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

09.02.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-moves-closer-to-reality

Oxford Realty commits $500,000 to Grand Forks Children’s Museum project

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

08.24.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com/community/oxford-realty-commits-500-000-to-grand-forks-childrens-museum-project

Grand Forks Children’s Museum groundbreaking set for Wednesday

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

5.19.26

Full Article Online:

Grand Forks Children’s Museum groundbreaking set for Wednesday - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports

Grand Forks Children’s Museum announces Altru Health System as ‘naming donor’

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

2.2.2026

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/grand-forks-childrens-museum-announces-altru-health-system-as-naming-donor

Grand Forks Children’s Museum receives $250,000 grant for new exhibit

by: Kjersti Maday

Grand Forks Herald

1.7.2026

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/north-dakota/grand-forks-childrens-museum-receives-250-000-grant-for-new-exhibit

Families learn and play together at a science lab at the Grand Forks Children's Museum pop-up event

by: Sophia Herman

Grand Forks Herald

10.9.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/families-learn-and-play-together-at-a-science-lab-at-the-grand-forks-childrens-museum-pop-up-event

Letter: Together we rise: Investing in community, connection and curiosity

by: Sally Miskavige

Grand Forks Herald

8.9.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/opinion/letters/letter-together-we-rise-investing-in-community-connection-and-curiosity

Grand Forks Children’s Museum moves closer to reality

by: Pamela Knutson

Grand Forks Herald

7.12.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-moves-closer-to-reality-1

Mayor Brandon Bochenski outlines 'an extremely exciting time in Grand Forks'

by: Korrie Wenzel

Grand Forks Herald

5.8.2025

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/mayor-brandon-bochenski-outlines-an-extremely-exciting-time-in-grand-forks

Myra Foundation in 2024: $715,510 awarded to local organizations

by: Staff Reporter

Grand Forks Herald

12.24.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/myra-foundation-in-2024-715-510-awarded-to-local-organizations

Sally Miskavige and the art of giving back to the Greater Grand Forks community

by: Logan Anderson

Grand Forks Herald

12.8.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/sally-miskavige-and-the-art-of-giving-back-to-the-greater-grand-forks-community

Grand Forks Children’s Museum, Development Homes form partnership

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

10.29.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-development-homes-form-partnership

Grand Forks Children’s Museum to host ‘Full STEAM Ahead’ event

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

10.01.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/grand-forks-childrens-museum-to-host-full-steam-ahead-event

Kuhlman family's gift of $500,000 latest highlight at Grand Forks Children's Museum

by: Delaney Otto

Grand Forks Herald

9.12.2024

Full Article Online: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/kuhlman-familys-gift-of-500-000-latest-highlight-at-grand-forks-childrens-museum

Grand Forks Children’s Museum leaders to host ‘Star Seekers Charity Dinner’ fundraiser

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

08.26.2024

Full Article Online:

grandforksherald.com/community/grand-forks-childrens-museum-leaders-to-host-star-seekers-charity-dinner-fundraiser

Council passes $299M budget

by: Matthew Voigt

Grand Forks Herald

08.07.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDFs: Council passes $299M pt. 1

Council passes $299M pt. 2

Altru spots project to begin in 2025

by: Matthew Voigt

Grand Forks Herald

07.29.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDFs: Altru 2025 pt. 1

Altru 2025 pt. 2

City Council OKs Altru Sports Complex traffic study, discusses possible Children's Museum location change

by: Matthew Voigt

Grand Forks Herald

05.20.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: City Council OKs Altru Sports Complex

Tom Brosseau & Friends to present concert Saturday to benefit future children's museum

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

04.12.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Tom Brosseau & Friends 2024

Employees donate professional skills, expertise to support nonprofits

Xcel Energy

01.18.2024

Full Article Online: stories.xcelenergy.com/ArticlePage/?id=Employees-donate-professional-skills--expertise-to-support-nonprofits

Hard to prove, rarely substantiated

by: Sav Kelly

Grand Forks Herald

07.01.2023

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Hard to prove, rarely substantiated

John C. Reilly to join Tom Brosseau & Friends benefit concert

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

03.16.2023

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: John C. Reilly to join Tom Brosseau & Friends benefit concert

Altru to gift land to Center for Exploration

by: Meghan Arbegast

Grand Forks Herald

06.26.2022

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Altru to gift land to Center for Exploration

Giving Matters

July Updates

by: Community Foundation

Grand Forks & East Grand Forks

07.29.2024

Full Article Online: gofoundation.org/index.html

PDF: Giving Matters - July

Council discusses possible museum location change

by: Matthew Voigt

Grand Forks Herald

05.22.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Council discusses possible museum location change

Alerus Donates $50k to Children's Museum

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

04.25.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Alerus Dontaes $50k

Grand Forks Children's Museum appoints Katie Mayer executive director

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

01.19.2024

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Grand Forks Children's Museum appoints Katie Mayer

'The Art of Giving' annual art exhibition and auction set for Friday, Sept. 22 at Grand Forks Curling Club

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

09.22.2023

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: 'The Art of Giving'

Marilyn Hagerty Happenings

by: Marilyn Hagerty

Grand Forks Herald

03.25.2023

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Marilyn Hagerty Happenings

Interactive learning fair opens this weekend

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

09.30.2022

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: Interactive Learning Fair Opens

$100k grant given to GF Center for Exploration

by: Pamela Knudson

Grand Forks Herald

11.06.2021

Full Article Online: grandforksherald.com

PDF: $100k grant given to GF Center for Exploration