A LETTER FROM MUSEUM LEADERSHIP

Dear Friends of Please Touch Museum,

I think I can—I think I can—I think I can… This familiar phrase from the classic children’s tale The Little Engine that Could just may have been the unspoken mantra of Please Touch Museum during fiscal year 2022.

With each passing month, we witnessed the return of visitors who were seeking learning experiences for their children whose childhoods and social-emotional development opportunities were interrupted during the pandemic. Our dedicated team worked tirelessly to expand programs and opportunities for families to learn through play together — a hallmark of Please Touch Museum.

We made investments in exhibits, immersive programming, public health and education, and access, assuring all children can experience the magic and wonder of Please Touch Museum.

• We reopened the supermarket exhibit, doubling its size so children can learn about the journey of food from source, to store, to home, to community.

• We activated school field trips.

• We welcomed over 80,000 visitors to the Museum for free or reduced admission with Community Days, First Wednesdays, and Play Without Boundaries, our program for families with neurodiverse children.

• We launched our Kindergarten Readiness Program to support social-emotional skill development for children entering kindergarten.

• We increased our cultural programming to celebrate the vibrant communities and families in Philadelphia and beyond.

The resiliency of the Museum, and our commitment to changing a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play, would not be possible without the passion of our PTM team and the generosity of individuals, funders, and the philanthropic community who continue to recognize the importance of investing in early childhood learning opportunities for all children, as we work towards a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you for joining us in our journey.

Yours In Play,

Patricia D. Wellenbach President & CEO

Christine Campbell Chair, Board of Trustees