Mastrovito Hyundai Commits $100,000 to the Utica Children’s Museum 

Mastrovito’s $100,000 gift sponsors the Let’s Play Pond area of the museum in the Seasons Exhibit. The donation contributes to the overall project total of $14 million, which includes site improvements, museum exhibit design and the addition of the rotunda—a signature architectural element on the south side of the building at 106 Memorial Parkway, Utica.

Owner Frank Mastrovito shares, “As a big hockey family, we are very excited to sponsor the Let’s Play Pond area of the museum. I grew up playing hockey and always skating, and now my three boys are hockey players, so it means a lot to us to be able to offer this experience to all the children coming to the museum.”

Utica Children’s Museum Director Donna Migliaccio adds, “The Mastrovito family has taken a big role in advancing our community in so many ways, especially supporting efforts that benefit children. Their contribution to the new Children’s Museum project is helping build a legacy for families throughout our region for generations to come. The community will soon learn more about the Let’s Play Pond Area and all of the exhibits that will be part of the all-new museum space.”

• Donna Migliaccio – Museum Director, Utica Children’s Museum
• Coleen Mastrovito – Owner and Office Manager, Mastrovito Hyundai
• Frank Mastrovito – Owner, Mastrovito Hyundai
• Steven Bulger – CEO/Executive Director, ICAN

The Utica Children’s Museum is slated to open in late 2023, just in time for its 60th birthday. It will be an entirely new experience for families in the Mohawk Valley, promoting children’s educational success by providing play-based experiences that are also aligned with the state’s Common Core Standards. It will also provide a space and be a catalyst for post-pandemic healing for all and will offer needed socialization, connection and joy as well as hands-on educational experiences. The re-imagined children’s museum will be based on 21st century concepts of trauma-informed, universal design in a fun and engaging environment.

Its location on Memorial Parkway accents the family-friendly corridor into which the Parkway is transforming. This location gives this new facility visibility, accessibility via public transport, and proximity to nearby family- friendly venues such as Utica Zoo, the new NYPA Visitor Center and Energy Zone, Valley View, Parkway Rec Center, the outdoor amenities of Roscoe Conkling Park and Sal Longo Field. 

The all-new exhibits being created for the new Children’s Museum will be reflective of the community we live in, promoting a strong theme of “Love Where You Live” and will showcase culture, STEM concepts, innovation and much more. Multi-faceted experiences and content will provide stepping stones for our young visitors to explore skills and interests that could lead them to educational and workforce opportunities right here in the region. More details on each of the exhibit galleries and their contents is forthcoming. Regional and national experts are assisting with the project from architecture and conceptualization to creation of museum exhibits.

The Family Resource Center will unite two of our region’s greatest assets: ICAN’s youth and family programs and the Utica Children’s Museum. A hub for learning, wellness, connectedness and FUN, this will be the first time that a children’s museum is co-located and partnered with a human services non-profit. Learn more

Summer 2022: ICAN opens Family Resource Center for services

End of 2023: Grand opening of the new Children’s Museum

ICAN programs such as Supervised Visitation, Healthy Families and Nurturing Parenting will be housed at the new Family Resource Center, all of which will utilize the museum space for family bonding, confidence building and ultimately for making families stronger. Select ICAN administrative departments will also be housed at the new location.

Mastrovito Hyundai is a local, family owned and operated dealership that puts their employees first, so they can put the customer first, to guarantee excellent customer service and positive buying/service experiences. Owning a dealership was Frank Mastrovito’s lifelong dream, and the passion and dedication put into it can be felt in every transaction completed in the dealership. Mastrovito Hyundai also emphasizes the importance of community support by giving back to local charities and not-for-profit organizations providing support to our community. Learn more