Madison Mom Looks To Build Kids Museum

MADISON, NJ — Madison resident Nisha Patel and two other local women are teaming up to bring an emerging children's museum to the Somerset or Morris County area.

Patel, Nicole Pittaluga of Morris Township, and Sara Sorenson of Basking Ridge came up with the idea of MOMI, a Museum of Imagination + Innovation, which is currently in the early planning stages and will need public support if their vision is to become reality.

"Our mission is to build a museum that sparks curiosity and wonder, and ignites the lifelong love of learning," said Sorenson, president and founder of MOMI.

The idea for the museum sprouted after Sorenson moved to New Jersey and was looking for a place to take her two small kids.

"I couldn't find a place like I had experienced in other parts of the country," said Sorenson. "There was nothing in northern New Jersey or even nearby out of state."

Sorenson saw a need to build "a special place for hands-on, experiential learning where children of all ages and backgrounds can come together to learn and have fun."

MOMI will be a family-learning experience which will revolve around educating through the value of play through hands-on, experiential experiences. The museum will focus on children ages 0 to 12 but will also serve the community of all ages.

"Our goal is to be a place where adults and children can have a place to learn together," Sorenson said.

The vision for the museum is to include more than 50,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and over half an acre of outdoor exhibits that connect art, science and nature.

While a location for MOMI has not been determined, MOMI founders are searching around the Morristown area possibly in Morris or Somerset County. Accessibility is important to finding a location as the founders want easy access for visitors coming from all across New Jersey including schools for field trips.

To learn more about MOMI, to learn how to get involved or to make a donation visit thinkmomi.org.

This story contains primary reporting by Alexis Tarrazzi.

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