Wonderscope Children's Museum

Effective May 17, 2007, Beyond the Book officially merged into Wonderscope Children’s Museum! Please see the press release for details regarding the merger and supporting comments from key individuals. This is truly a significant step for both organizations and a commitment to creating a world class children’s museum for Kansas City.

On January 22, 2007, the Board of Directors for Wonderscope, Inc. signed a letter of intent with Beyond the Book, Inc. to explore formally combining the two organizations. A Museum Collaboration Task Force met for two months to conduct due diligence related to the merger and make recommendations to the respective boards as to a plan of merger.

This process was open, honest and focused on working together to broaden our ability to better serve families in the Kansas City area. This merger brings new skills and passion to the Board and leadership and will stretch the organization to achieve the vision of creating a truly exceptional children’s museum for Kansas City. The process was marked with a genuine spirit of collaboration between the individuals from both organizations and focused on a common vision for the future.

As indicated in the press release, all former Beyond the Book board members have been appointed to the Wonderscope Board. Wonderscope remains the surviving entity and Ann Zimmerman will continue as the Acting Director. Lauranne Hess, former BTB Executive Director, has been appointed to the Board and will be actively working to help raise needed funding for the new combined organization and planning efforts.

The first priority of the new combined Board is to identify a new organizational structure and to secure funding to proceed with some capacity building needs and planning for a new museum. We are hopeful that planning efforts can begin in Fall of 2007 and a capital campaign launched in 2008. We will be actively evaluating options regarding a potential site for the museum over the next six to twelve months.

Thank you to all members and supporters. We look forward to gaining your insight and input as we plan for a new museum. We are excited about this significant milestone for the museum and look forward to the future that lies ahead!

Answers to common questions about the merger can be found in the Merger FAQs. If you have further questions, please direct them to Ann Zimmerman, 913-961-9444.

To Members and Friends of Wonderscope and Beyond the Book