Page 178 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2017

THEFINALSAY CAROLE
LYNN MEADOWS
Co-founder,
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center photo courtesy of Carole Lynn Meadows
This is my story; this is my song...these words from
a lovely old hymn come to mind when I reflect on the journey of the last 26 years in the founding of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (LMDC) and its continuing success.
The story begins with two events, seemingly worlds apart. The first was a Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport project to supplement art education for children. The second was the tragic death of our daughter, Lynn, when she was a student at Ole Miss in 1984. These two events
came together, eventually becoming known as the Lynn Meadows Center for the Arts in what was then the Handsboro Community Center on Cowan Road.
The success of the programs in the Arts Center determined that expansion was essential. Once again,
the Junior Auxiliary stepped up to meet the needs of the community and its children with a dream of establishing
a children’s museum. The momentous date was June
12, 1991, when Rose Alman, Junior Auxiliary president, formed a committee charged with this mission. Seven years later Rose and I would see that mission accomplished with the opening of what is now the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center on May 16, 1998. Those seven years were a labor of love, taking us to every group on the Coast to tell the story of a children’s museum for the Mississippi Gulf Coast — a first in the State!
Once the goal was set, the next step was to determine where. After exhaustive searching, the abandoned Mississippi City School, built in 1916, was determined to be the perfect location. Even with the windows boarded, vines covering the building, holes in the roof — we
knew we had found the perfect place. The bell tower was silent after so many years of decay, but we could see the potential of that bell once again ringing to the delight of children from across the land.
Seven years later, eager children, parents, and grandparents marched through the doors of that grand
old building where laughter and learning began anew. The
halls were filled with the sounds and sights of children learning, playing, exploring, watching, listening, laughing, expanding their horizons — all in a building once
doomed to extinction, but now alive with the dreams and aspirations of more than 1.5 million visitors since opening day.
Dreams, aspirations, and possibilities: these values and goals keep LMDC alive and discovering the possibilities of what can be. In each exhibit, a child experiences what
it would be like to be a TV announcer, fork lift operator, veterinarian, scientist, artist, chef, or grocery store clerk. Through the WINGS program, it’s possible to become a star in any galaxy. The LMDC logo of the child reaching for the stars is the visual of what we believe — anything is possible if you set your heart and hard work to the task.
And this is my song, by all measures LMDC is a triumphant success! The numerous national and state awards attest to that success. Having our daughter’s name on such a success story is music to the hearts of my family. With Executive Director Cindy DeFrances and her incredible staff, board, and volunteers, plus the support of the community, this success is destined to continue. We treasure the opportunity to help all children achieve their hopes and dreams and are grateful for the privilege of so great a responsibility.
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
228.897.6030 www.lmdc.org
178 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2017
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