A Groundbreaking Moment for Grand Forks: The Next Chapter Begins

A fun group of kids accompany executive director, Katie Mayer, to the future home of GFCM

Weather permitting, on May 20 our community will gather for a milestone that has been years in the making: the official groundbreaking of the Grand Forks Children’s Museum. After six years of dreaming, planning, fundraising, and community partnerships, this moment will mark the beginning of a new chapter for a project built on the belief that our region’s children deserve a place designed just for them. Fittingly, 100 kid‑sized shovels will be ready for the occasion.

This groundbreaking isn’t just about moving dirt. It’s a celebration of community

vision and the power of collaboration and dreams. It’s about honoring the people and partnerships that have carried the museum forward, from idea to reality. Key donors, city leaders, board members, volunteers and community champions will join together on site, each representing a piece of the story that brought us to this moment. Their leadership has fueled a project that will soon become a world‑class STEAM destination for hands‑on learning, creativity, and exploration. The museum will be a place where children build, imagine, experiment, and discover and begin the journey toward becoming the scientists, engineers, artists, problem‑solvers, and innovators who will shape our region’s future.

One of the most joyful elements of the ceremony will be the 100 kid‑sized shovels waiting for young participants. Children are invited to stand alongside the adults who helped make this project possible, a moment that beautifully symbolizes the museum’s purpose and the young learners it exists to uplift. Every scoop of dirt lifted by those small hands represents the promise of curiosity, confidence, and possibility. It’s a reminder that this project is not only about construction, but about opening doors to new ideas and new horizons. Think of it as 100 shovels, 100 futures.

Breaking ground is more than a ceremonial step. It signals the transition from planning to building, from vision to reality. With exhibit design underway and construction beginning, the museum is moving into its most exciting phase yet. This is a true turning point for our community, a moment when years of dreaming, collaboration, and a $35 million fundraising campaign finally takes physical shape.

This milestone also reflects the extraordinary generosity that has carried the project to this point. Leadership donors, families, the City of Grand Forks, and volunteers have all played essential roles, alongside the major support of industries that power our region: energy, engineering and construction, rail and transportation, healthcare, education, and local businesses whose investments strengthened every step of the journey. Their belief in the power of play, learning, and imagination has fueled the momentum that brought the museum to this important milestone.

As the first shovels hit the ground on May 20, we’ll be celebrating not only what’s ahead, but everyone who helped us get here. This moment belongs to the families who gave what they could, to those whose leadership gifts moved the project forward, to supporters who stepped up boldly and publicly, and to those who chose to give quietly, without fanfare. Every contribution, large or small, has shaped this milestone. Together, they form the foundation on which this museum will rise.

We can’t wait to share this moment with you. The Grand Forks Children’s Museum will be a place that inspires curiosity, strengthens family bonds, and enriches our region for generations. The museum will stand as a testament to a community that believed in building something joyful, hopeful, and lasting for its children.

Stay tuned for event details, weather updates, and ways to participate in this historic day for Grand Forks.

Katie Mayer, Executive Director, Grand Forks Children's Museum