Matthews enters partnership to bring Discovery Place museum to town
Under the newly established development and management agreement, the town will provide building space and the Charlotte-based museum will oversee the upfitting and operation of the Discovery Place Kids.
Town Manager Becky Hawke said this will be an investment of between $3.6 million and $4.8 million for Matthews. Maintenance costs would depend on the building's square footage and number of spaces in the parking lot, she said.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Matthews Playhouse
'This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn't be more excited about this partnership,' said Mayor John Higdon in a statement. 'Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many ways they will enrich our community.'
The building space will be funded through the town's Tourism Fund and is expected to be available within the next five years. The exact location has not yet been determined. The town expects to finalize the details in the coming months and will hold public meetings for the location.
'We are thrilled to partner with the Town of Matthews to bring Discovery Place Kids to this vibrant community,' said Catherine Horne, Discovery Place president and CEO. 'This museum will be a hub of imagination, creativity and hands-on learning, designed to inspire young minds and bring families together.'
Commissioner Ken McCool described his excitement for the initiative since he often visited Discovery Place in uptown Charlotte as a kid. He made the motion to approve the partnership, which passed unanimously.
'That's the best motion I've ever made,' he said.
Discovery Place Kids offers interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning in young children. Others are already located in Huntersville and Rockingham, and the Matthews museum would bring the number of Discovery Place locations to five.
The addition of a Matthews location will provide local families with greater access to these high-quality educational opportunities.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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