Innovative New Children's Museum Planned for South Suburban Matteson


Innovative New Children's Museum Planned for South Suburban Matteson

Matteson, IL – March 25, 2025 – Plans are underway to transform a portion of the former Lincoln Mall site in the Village of Matteson into an innovative and groundbreaking new children's museum, set to open its doors in 2028.

The Matteson Children’s Museum, an initiative conceptualized in 2021 and incorporated two years ago, is currently in the planning phase and is actively seeking funding to bring this vision to life.

“It’s time to shift from Matteson’s retail-focused past to an experience-driven future,” stated Michelle Kennedy, a dedicated Matteson resident and the Founder of the Matteson Children’s Museum. Since moving to the village in 2006, Michelle has witnessed the decline of local businesses following the mall’s closure. However, she is optimistic, noting, “The Village of Matteson is on an upswing, with new businesses emerging and public parks in the pipeline.” Alongside the museum, the revitalization of the former Lincoln Mall site will introduce a complementary-blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

The planned 50,000 square-foot Matteson Children’s Museum will occupy a 4-acre site within the footprint of the old mall, catering to children of all ages, including specialized resources for elementary and middle school students —particularly those on the autism spectrum. The museum will feature immersive, themed exhibits centered around Arts & Culture, as well as key subjects like environmental science, engineering, chemistry, and human anatomy. A strong emphasis on music education will be integrated into the museum’s design, featuring a recording studio, a music learning lab, and a flexible performance space perfect for concerts. In addition, party rental rooms will be available for children’s birthday celebrations.

Outdoor amenities will encompass a sprawling two-acre park. A children's garden will provide young visitors the opportunity to plant, nurture, and harvest fruits and vegetables, while additional outdoor features will include sensory sand tables, playgrounds, fountains, walking paths, and picnic areas. Importantly, bike paths will connect the museum directly to the nearby 22-mile Old Plank Trail.

The programming at the Matteson Children’s Museum is envisioned to be extensive and diverse, with year-round events and hands-on offerings such as summer and holiday camps, college recruitment fairs, craft workshops, coding sessions, cooking classes, book fairs, writing labs, fashion shows, spelling bees, and scavenger hunts. The museum will partner with local school districts to ensure that its programming aligns with and enhances their educational goals. “We want our activities to support the instructional priorities of our local schools, and we will actively seek input from teachers and administrators to curate engaging and effective programs,” said Michelle Kennedy.

Currently, the Matteson Children’s Museum is in its early stages, with fundraising efforts ongoing to cover pre-development costs. “We aim to secure a few hundred thousand dollars to rent office space, conduct a feasibility study, and formally enlist architects, attorneys, and exhibit design consultants,” Michelle explained.

 Michelle Kennedy is the visionary founder behind the Matteson Children's Museum. A devoted resident of Matteson since 2006, Michelle has been an active advocate for community development and enrichment. With a background in commercial real estate finance -and a passion for fostering creativity and learning among children, she has diligently worked to bring this innovative museum to life. Michelle is dedicated to creating a space that not only entertains but also educates, ensuring that children of all backgrounds have access to enriching experiences. Through her leadership, the Matteson Children's Museum aims to become a cornerstone of the community, offering diverse programming that supports local schools and fosters lifelong learning.

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