Business

Discovery World breaks ground for new expansion

PARKERSBURG - Ground was broken Thursday morning at the site of the Discovery Museum on Market in Parkersburg for a new building space.

Representatives of the museum, United Bank, the City of Parkersburg, EL Robinson Engineering, Phoenix Associates Inc., the Ross Foundation and others gathered in the cleared off space outside the museum on Market to do a groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition and outdoor exhibits.

United Bank had previously given $750,000 to the museum a while ago that acted as seed money for the project. Once they were ready for the groundbreaking, they announced the project was moving forward.

"The new building addition will be a new entrance for the building," said Executive Director Wendy L. Shriver. "It will have offices and new flexible space that we don't actually have in the museum now."

The new 4,000-square-foot addition will allow the museum to host traveling exhibits, one which is scheduled to come for May 2027, Shriver said. There will also be outdoor exhibits that guests will be able to interact and play with as part of the children's museum.

Work on the new addition is expected to start in a couple of weeks towards the end of November with the goal of having it built before May.

The museum will be doing a capital campaign in 2027 for the outdoor exhibits.

"We are going to be scoping that out," Shriver said. "We are going to be going to the National Children's Museum Conference in May where they will meet with people who develop children museum exhibits and outdoor exhibits to see what we can do."

Museum officials will be going out and seeking additional donations to be able to do the work planned.

The museum needs to grow and develop new exhibits to keep the public coming back to experience new things, Shriver said.

"This is more than moving dirt," Shriver said. "It represents growth, opportunity, community and our continuing commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the children and families that we serve.

"Discovery on Market is built on the belief that children learn best when they can explore, create, imagine and discover the world around them. Everyday we have the privilege of watching children learn through play, ask questions, try new things and experience those wonderful moments when curiosity turns into discovery."

They will also eventually have a shelter space available outside and are looking at the possibility to be able to rent the space to have weddings and other activities outside.

Shriver said projects like this don't happen without people who believe in the vision and who are willing to invest in the future of this community.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said projects like this don't happen without people who believe in the projects. Over the past few years, Discovery World on Market has become an important part of the community in bringing people to the area.

National and state lawmakers, potential business developers and others are always impressed with what the museum has done, Joyce said.

"This is a great safe place for youth development." the mayor said. The tens of thousands of people who come in from all over the Mid-Ohio Valley, West Virginia and the whole country, this really is a fantastic facility.

"I can't say enough good things about it."

Shriver commended United Bank's dedication to the project.

"We appreciate your commitment to our organization and your investment in the children and families in our community," she said.

Richard M. Adams, Executive Chairman of the Board of United Bankshares Inc. released a statement Thursday commending the project and their support for the future of Parkersburg.

"(Thursday's) groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for Parkersburg," he said. "For more than 185 years, United Bank has been committed to this community and to supporting future generations.

"Discovery World is an investment in our children, creating a place where they can learn, explore and grow in the years to come. We're proud to be part of bringing this vision to life."