The Peoria PlayHouse project is built on a solid partnership between the Junior League of Peoria, the Peoria Zoological Society, and the Peoria Park District. As part of a larger plan to revitalize the campus at Glen Oak Park, the children's museum will, together with the planned expansion of the Peoria Zoo, offer a daylong destination for families and school groups.

The Peoria PlayHouse will prepare every young child to learn by offering the hands-on experiences essential for healthy brain development. It will feature interactive exhibits and programs that strengthen families and complement formal education. These positive experiences will instill in our children a lifelong love of learning, and encourage an appreciation of museums as they mature.

The Peoria PlayHouse will be an educational resource for teachers and parents. All of the exhibits in The Peoria PlayHouse are accessible to children with special needs and every component included therein is tied to an Illinois Early Learning Standard. The Junior League of Peoria is working with internationally-recognized education consultant Mary Sinker and exhibit designers Jack Rouse Associates to make sure that the way children play in this house will help them as they go to school to learn and that their play here will enhance their capacity to learn. Further, the museum will seek accreditation from the American Association of Museums, distinguishing it from other children's museums in Illinois.

The Peoria PlayHouse will also benefit local economic development efforts by helping to attract and retain young professionals. Children's museums are responsible businesses and consumers, employing people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many city planners regard children's museums as an anchor for nearby attractions, restaurants and retail stores. Around the world, more than 30 million people visit children's museums annually.

The museum will be sustained primarily through an endowment, grants, traveling exhibitions, special events, and rental and retail opportunities. Its ongoing effectiveness will be evaluated through cooperative efforts with area universities and educators from local school districts.

The Junior League is committed to the children and families of Central Illinois, and we ask you to join us, along with our outstanding partners and other community leaders, in realizing this vision by making your strongest commitment to The Peoria PlayHouse project.

We hope you will join us by thoughtfully considering financial support of our project. Gifts may be spread over up to four years.

The Peoria PlayHouse Committee is comprised of volunteers from the Junior League of Peoria. This committee has been working hard for the past six years to make the Peoria PlayHouse a reality. Over 25 women are currently on the PlayHouse committee, which is comprised of four subcommitees:

The Project Management Subcommittee - this committee is responsible for developing the master plan, schematic design, and detail design.

The Public Relations Subcommittee - this committee is responsible for marketing and public relations activities for the Peoria PlayHouse.

The Community Development Subcommittee - this committee is responsible for doing programming in the community, including at the Peoria PlayHouse Jr., at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie, at the Prairie Air Show, and other events in Central Illinois.

The Capital Campaign Subcommittee - this committee is responsible for raising the necessary funds to bring the PlayHouse to Peoria.

The Junior League of Peoria, established in 1936, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of dedicated women whose volunteer efforts make it a strong and successful entity that has had a profound impact on the Peoria area community in many different capacities. Reaching out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest and commitment to voluntarism, our nearly 500 active and sustaining members are dedicated and creative women who come from varying backgrounds and interests, and share a common goal to make a difference for our community.

Since its founding, The Junior League of Peoria has been committed to achieving success and excellence by bringing people together to significantly improve the quality of life in our region. The Junior League can be credited with implementing changes and improving conditions in almost every sector of our community. In response to the ever-changing needs of Central Illinois, the Junior League has initiated and implemented a wide variety of successful projects over the years. These have included:

1935-1971	Children's Theatre and Puppet Shows
1946-present	Julep's Closet
1977-1979	Animal Project with the Glen Oak Zoo
1978-1986	CARE - Child Advocacy at Crisis Nursery
1983-1990	Family House
1985-1991	Women's Health Awareness
1985-1992	Race for the Cure
1990-1998	Riverfront Awareness
1990-1994	Peoria Trail with the Peoria Park District
1991-1992	Tri-Centennial Playground, Glen Oak Park
1993-1996	Christmas in April
1997-2000	Senior Services
1999-present	Keepsacks for Kids
2000-2001	Rolling River Playground at the RiverPlex

For more information about the Junior League of Peoria, go to our website: