The For The Kids, By George Children’s Museum in Martinsburg has received $6,000 through the West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) and generous donations from community members Mary Elizabeth Oates, Scott and Linda Roach and Bonnie Sitman and Don Briggs. These funds will be used to expand the Museum’s “admissions scholarship” program to students throughout the Eastern Panhandle offering the opportunity for students to visit the Museum, regardless of their family’s ability to pay the Museum admission fee.

The idea of an “admissions scholarship” program was first introduced with a grant awarded to the Museum upon its first year of operation in 2014 through the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Frada Fine Education Fund to serve students in Berkeley County Schools. This expanded project will allow the Museum to serve students in Jefferson and Morgan counties as well in the same manner.

The West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) was established by the West Virginia Legislature in 1996 to increase charitable giving to local nonprofit organizations, thus increasing the capacity of such organizations to serve low-income persons in highly distressed neighborhoods. The program allows 501(c)3 designated charitable organizations to apply for tax credit vouchers. The organization then distributes the vouchers to businesses and individuals who contribute to the organizations. By donating to approved NIP organizations, contributors can support their communities and earn credits to reduce certain West Virginia taxes.

Please contact the Museum to discuss the utilization of these scholarships and to reserve a time for a field trip or group tour with your school, daycare center or other children-focused organization.

The For The Kids, By George! Children’s Museum features a Railway Heritage exhibit that explores life on the railroad, Tunnels Through Time where visitors can experience how life changed from one historic era to the next, a trip high above the train tracks to discover how train cars move people, animals and products, a 3-D virtual Bike Tour down the Washington Heritage Trail and a chance to learn more about young George Washington and the time he spent here before the Eastern Panhandle became our own West Virginia.

For The Kids, By George Children’s Museum is located at the Caperton Train Station, 229 E Martin St in Martinsburg, metered parking is available onsite and on the street.