On Dec. 20, the Pensacola Children’s Museum will reopen to the public with a new exhibit, “Our Town: A Space for All,” featuring historic businesses and sites inspired by Pensacola landmarks.
- The museum is also debuting a new, publicly accessible sensory space, “Calming Seas Sensory Space,” the first of its kind in Northwest Florida. Both the exhibit and sensory space were funded through IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area with a $100,670 grant.
“We are grateful for the support of IMPACT 100,” said Rob Overton, executive director for the University of West Florida Historic Trust. “Their gift allows us to preserve Pensacola’s rich history by placing it directly in the hands of our children.”
In the Our Town exhibit, which is on the museum’s first floor, young guests can explore a reimagined town center that includes the Silas Stearns Fishing Smack, Pensacola Dairy Bar Milk Bottle Diner, My Town Mural, Garden Street Toddler Spot, Frisco Train Station, Pride of Pensacola Tiny Tot Train, Germania Hose Company Fire Station and Theo’s Construction House.
Theo’s Construction House is dedicated to Theophalis May (1927–2006), the father of County Commissioner Lumon May. Rev. May began work in construction in 1950. He built and maintained Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on West Blount Street, where he served as pastor for 38 years. His company, May’s Construction Company, became famous for moving, demolishing and restoring historic buildings…