Schoolhouse Children’s Museum celebrates opening of Mangrove Manor

Community leaders, museum supporters and children celebrate the opening of Mangrove Manor at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. [Photo by Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches]

Nearly 75 community leaders, elected officials, donors and longtime supporters gathered at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Mangrove Manor, a permanent exhibit designed to inspire hands-on learning through exploration and imaginative play.

The exhibit was made possible through a transformational grant from Impact 100 Palm Beach County and represents a milestone in the museum’s growth as one of Palm Beach County’s premier destinations for early childhood education and discovery.

Wyn Yelin, Alisa Sheyn, Rita Tagle and Brian Goldfuss attend the ribbon-cutting celebration for Mangrove Manor at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. [Photo by Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches]

Mangrove Manor immerses children in a Florida-inspired environment where they can climb, crawl, slide and explore while encountering native wildlife, including an oversized alligator. Through interactive play, they develop confidence, problem-solving abilities and social-emotional skills.

The ribbon-cutting celebration brought together representatives from Impact 100, Boynton Beach, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Among those in attendance were Boynton Beach Commissioners Aimee Kelley and Thomas Turkin.

Schoolhouse Children’s Museum Executive Director Miriam Naranjo, second from right, joins museum staff members inside the new Mangrove Manor exhibit. [Photo by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.]

“Mangrove Manor represents so much more than a new exhibit,” says Miriam Naranjo, the museum’s executive director. “It reflects what’s possible when a community comes together to invest in its children. Every child deserves opportunities to learn through exploration and imagination, and this was a celebration of everyone who helped make that vision a reality.”

Museum officials say the exhibit reflects a commitment to creating immersive educational experiences that spark curiosity while helping children connect with South Florida’s history and natural environment. Children can explore native ecosystems while experiencing what life was like for Florida’s pioneers.

Autumn Kioti, left, and Candi Holzsager introduce guests to a young alligator during the Mangrove Manor ribbon-cutting celebration. [Photo by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.]

Located at 129 E. Ocean Ave. in Boynton Beach, the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum is in a building constructed in 1913 as one of the city’s first schools.

Designed for children through age 8, the museum offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, field trips, special events and birthday celebrations.

Mangrove Manor is open during the museum’s regular hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is included with regular admission.

For more information, visit schoolhousemuseum.org.