The Children's Museum of Memphis (CMOM) took first place in its category — "Best Children's Museum" — in the AAA "Best of South" membership poll for 2011. Readers of AAA Southern Traveler Magazine, with a circulation of 250,000, cast their votes. Results were published in the July/August 2011 issue.
In addition to beating out the Louisiana Children's Museum (second place), and the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock (third place), CMOM was also the the only Memphis organization listed in any category.
Clearly the organization has a handle on its purpose: Creating "memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs." As CMOM's CEO Richard C. Hackett says, "It's nice to have visitors tell us we are doing what we are supposed to be doing — providing a fun family destination that is educational and memorable."
The museum opened in June 1990 and completed a major expansion in 2002. In its 21-year history, it has welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors.
